A Second War ‘North Africa’ M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel J. H. Spiers, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, who experienced a meteoric rise through the ranks during the Second World War; was present at the evacuation from Dunkirk; Commanded Troops in Rome; and was twice Mentioned in Despatches

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (Lieut. (Q.M.) J. H. Spiers. D.C.L.I.) mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, good very fine (7) £360-£440

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 13 December 1945.
The original Recommendation states: ‘During the period under review, in fact from the first day he joined the Administrative Staff of this Headquarters early in November 1942, this officer has been outstanding in his devotion to duty. Joining originally as the Quartermaster he was soon made an assistant Camp Commandant in which capacity he has worked since May 1943. His services throughout have been of an exceptionally high degree of merit, and it can be truly said that on numerous occasions he has undertaken special duties superior to his rank and ordinary work, and has performed them brilliantly. During the move to North Africa from the U.K., the hectic days of settling down in Algiers, the move to Italy in July 1944, and ever since, he has played a major part in the local administration of the British section of A.F.H.Q. Possessing a remarkable knowledge of man-management, a capacity for hard work day in and out without easing up, this officer’s boundless energy, tact, cheerfulness, and contagious enthusiasm for the job in hand has been an inspiration to all around and there is no doubt whatever that he has had a very considerable share in the smooth running of the local administration, and he has earned the respect and friendship of all ranks, both British and American, with whom he has had to deal. The general well-being of the 4,000 British Officers and Men here at A.F.H.Q. has always been his particular concern, and the high standard of messing, accommodation, and general welfare of the other ranks has been ever of the highest priority with him. His exemplary conduct and efficiency throughout the two and a half years he has been with this Headquarters is worthy of special recognition.’

M.I.D. London Gazettes 11 November 1943 and 20 February 1945.

John Henry Spiers was born in Guildford, Surrey, on 24 July 1906 and attested for the Somerset Light Infantry at Winchester on 26 May 1925, transferring to the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry the same day. He was advanced Colour Sergeant and appointed Company Quartermaster Sergeant on 7 April 1937, and was promoted Warrant Officer Class III on 1 October 1938, and Warrant Officer Class II on 15 November 1938. He served with the British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War in France from 30 September 1939 until being evacuated from Dunkirk on 1 June 1940; given the fact that he was a Platoon Sergeant Major at the time, it is more than likely that Spiers played a key role in the Battalion’s successful evacuation from Dunkirk in H.M.S. Kingfisher on the evening of 1 June 1940, whilst still an effectively formed body with high morale.

Promoted Warrant Officer Class I on 29 September 1940, Spiers experienced a meteoric rise during the War, being commissioned Lieutenant (Quartermaster) on 9 December 1941, and posted to the 7th Battalion. He subsequently served as Second in Command to the Camp Commandant of General Headquarters, North Africa, and would thus have got to know well all the great and good of Allied High Command (see M.B.E. Recommendation), before seeing further service in Italy, and was promoted Captain on 9 December 1944; temporary Major on 24 February 1945; and temporary Lieutenant-Colonel on 1 November 1947. For his services during the Second World War he was twice Mentioned in Despatches and was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire. He relinquished his commission on 20 October 1948, being granted the honorary rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and died on 29 January 1953.

Sold with copied research.