A MEDAL awarded to a brave soldier at the Battle of Waterloo is coming under the auctioneer's hammer in Lowestoft next week.The Waterloo Medal is one of about 500 lots in a militaria auction being held at the Lowestoft Auction Rooms on Saturday, June 5.

A MEDAL awarded to a brave soldier at the Battle of Waterloo is coming under the auctioneer's hammer in Lowestoft next week.

The Waterloo Medal is one of about 500 lots in a militaria auction being held at the Lowestoft Auction Rooms on Saturday, June 5.

Salesroom co-ordinator Marcus Ardley said: 'We hold an annual militaria sale and the interest just grows every year.

'As well as having a strong local following we have interest from military collectors all over the country.'

The Battle of Waterloo in 1815 when the Duke of Wellington's army defeated the French army led by Napoleon is a significant date in this country's history and the medal is sure to create a lot of interest.

However, other conflicts are also well represented in the sale including items from the Boer War and the First and Second World Wars.

'The number of collectors interested in military history is increasing all the time.

'We started the militaria sale as a one-off but it proved so popular we now have one every year,' said Mr Ardley.

There is special interest in items dating from the First World War as the 100th anniversary of the start of the war is only four years away.

'Everyone expects the value of First World War items to increase in 2014 when it is the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the war.

'We have seen prices rise steadily in recent years but there has been a significant leap in the past few months,' said Mr Ardley.

One of the many First World War items includes a Military Cross in its original case awarded to Captain R W Lee who served in Gallipoli in 1915.

The prices of all military related items are increasing all the time and many items have doubled in value since last year.

The Second World War items are also much in demand and there are uniforms, medals and weapons on offer at the auction.

As well as many items from the Allies there are also those from the German and Japanese armed forces.

The Lowestoft Auction Rooms are based in Pinbush Road on the South Lowestoft Industrial Estate.

The Militaria Auction takes place on Saturday, June 5, from 10am. Viewing days will be Thursday, June 3, 1.30pm to 4.30pm; Friday, June 4, 8am to 5.30pm; and 8am to 10am on the morning of the sale.

For more information visit www.lowestoftauctionrooms.com or telephone 01502 531532.