At the going down of the sun we have forgotten them

One of the saddest things I've read for some time is the auctioneer's catalogue for a sale tomorrow, writes Peter Rhodes.

It's just another auction in just another provincial town. But this is the week before Remembrance Day which lends a certain poignancy.

This is one of the 12 lots in the medal section of the sale: "WWII Services Medals, 39 - 45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence medal, War medal, 8th Army bar & issue slip £30-40."

And there you have it. One collection of medals tells the history of some forgotten squaddie who fought across the African desert and probably saw action at Alamein before slogging up Italy.

He was somebody's father, husband, sweetheart or brother. He was a Desert Rat, a name that, for anyone aged over 50, still has a legendary ring.

How can anyone part with such a possession, least of all for 30 measly quid?