A Second War Battle of Medenine 1943 ‘immediate’ M.C. group of seven awarded to Major A. B. Shipton, Royal Artillery

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1943’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. Oak Leaf; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (Lt. A. B Shipton. M.C. R.A.), mounted court-style for wear, partial riband bar, generally very fine or better (7) £1600-2000

M.C. London Gazette 18 May 1943, the recommendation dated 12 March 1943, states:

‘Near Medenine on 6 Mar 43, this officer was observing from an O.P. on Point 153. As the attack disclosed itself he quickly engaged it with the concentrated fire of the Regiment. He skilfully controlled this fire by direct observation, whilst the attack was being pressed home, with devastating effect. During this time his O.P. was subjected to intermittent bursts of artillery fire, and at the peak of the attack it came under the aimed fire from enemy light automatics. His skill, calmness and complete disregard for his own safety at this vital period and throughout the whole day played a big part in the successful issue of the engagement.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 April 1946.

Allan Brinley Shipton was born in Gilfach Goch, Glamorgan, in October 1913. He was educated at Ogmore Vale Secondary School, and the North Wales Counties Training College, Bangor. He captained the Rugby team at the latter, and qualified as a Physical Training Instructor. After further study at Loughborough, Shipton joined the Royal Devon Yeomanry (T.A.) at Bideford in May 1939.

With the outbreak of the Second War, Shipton was posted to No. 121 Officer Cadet Training Unit. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery, 18 January 1940, and posted for service with the 58th (Sussex) Field Regiment in January of the following year. Shipton advanced to Temporary Captain in March 1942, and was posted for service in the Middle East later that year. He was attached to the 8th Army in September 1942, and served during operations in North Africa.

Shipton distinguished himself whilst serving with the 58th (Sussex) Field Regiment, as part of the 7th Armoured Division, 30 Corps, during the Battle of Medenine, Tunisia, 6 March 1943 - Rommel’s last battle in Africa.

Having returned to the UK at the end of 1943, Shipton was posted to the 84th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, in January 1944. He served with the unit in North West Europe, and was appointed Adjutant in March 1945. Shipton remained in Germany as part of the army of occupation, and returned to the UK in February 1946. He was released from service in May 1946, and was awarded his Efficiency Medal in November 1948.

Shipton rose to the rank of Major in the Territorial Army, and retired in 1963. In later life he was employed as a teacher and then as a Headmaster in Devon. Shipton’s final employment was as a Clerk to the Council, Seaton, Devon, and he died in November 1976.