Army teddy set to spark bidding war

A TEDDY bear that was a lucky mascot for the British Army during the Second World War is expected to fetch hundreds of pounds at auction today.

The toy travelled with soldier Thomas Matthews in his M10 tank as he and his squadron fought German forces in Europe.

It was given to him by a liberated Dutch villager after his D-Day landing with the Royal Artillery’s 62nd anti-tank regiment in 1944.

Mr Matthews, who died in 1990 aged 74, gave the 4ft toy to his son, also called Thomas, who has kept it in his loft at his home in Stafford.

Now the bear – which also took part in the Allies’ victory parade in Berlin in 1945 – is set to be sold today at Hansons Auctioneers in London. Auctioneers expect the bear to far exceed its guide price of between £400 and £600.