Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good post-war Malaya operations C.B., C.B.E. group of nine awarded to Brigadier E. J. Montgomery, Staff, late Highland Light Infantry, who had earlier served in the B.E.F. and been awarded the O.B.E. for his command of a Sub-Area Beach Group in the Normandy landings - he was latterly a member of the Queen’s Bodyguard for Scotland (The Royal Company of Archers)

The Most Honourable Order of The Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; 1939-45 Star, privately inscribed, ‘Major F. J. Montgomery’; France and Germany Star, privately inscribed, ‘Col. E. J. Montgomery’; Defence Medal 1939-45, privately inscribed, ‘Lt. Col. E. J. Montgomery’; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf, privately inscribed, ‘Brig. E. J. Montgomery’; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Brig., C.B.E., Staff); Coronation 1937, privately inscribed, ‘Capt. E. J. Montgomery’; Coronation 1953, privately inscribed, ‘Brig. E. J. Montgomery, mounted as worn where applicable, together with Highland Light Infantry cap badge, silver, hallmarks for London 1932, with gold crown, elephant and motto, the reverse engraved ‘E. J. M., New Year’s Day 1933’, and a set of tunic ribands, surname officially corrected on the G.S.M., generally good very fine (10) £1600-1800

C.B. London Gazette 1 June 1953: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in Malaya during the period 1 July 1952 to 28 February 1953.’

C.B.E. London Gazette 8 June 1950.

Mention in despatches London Gazette 8 November 1945 and 4 April 1946.

Ernest John Montgomery, who was born in March 1901, was educated at Rugby and the R.M.C. Sandhurst and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Highland Light Infantry in July 1920. Appointed a Personal Assistant to the Resident of Mysore in 1927, he was advanced to Captain and served as Private Secretary to the Governor of Bihar & Orissa 1928-31. Next appointed Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion, H.L.I., in which capacity he served 1931-34, Montgomery became D.A.A.G. at H.Q., Scottish Command in 1937 and was serving there in the rank of Major at the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939. Having then attended Staff College, he was appointed an Acting Lieutenant-Colonel and D.A.A.G. 52nd Lowland Division and, later in 1940, C.O. of the 1st Battalion, H.L.I., and served in the B.E.F. (M.B.E. London Gazette 11 July 1940).

Transferring as A.A. & Q.M.G. to the 45th West Country Division in 1942, Montgomery went on to hold similar appointments in 1 Corps and 3rd Division prior to taking up appointment as C.O. of 101 Sub-Area (Beach) in 1943, in readiness for the forthcoming Allied landings in Normandy, and himself came ashore at “Q-Beach” on D-Day itself. He was awarded the O.B.E. (London Gazette 1 February 1945 refers), the original recommendation - approved by Field Marshal Montgomery - stating:

‘Colonel Montgomery commanded 101 Sub-Area (Beach) during the assault on the Normandy coast in June 1944, under command of 3rd British Division. He formed and trained the Beach Groups for the operation. The success of the initial assault and subsequent development of the operations depended largely upon the efficient establishment and working of the beach-head. That this complex organization functioned with such success was due to the care and foresight exercised by Colonel Montgomery in the planning stage prior to the operation and to his skilful leadership in the difficult conditions in the early days of the operation itself.’

Remaining actively employed in subsequent operations in France and Holland, latterly in the rank of Acting Brigadier, he was mentioned in despatches and served as Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, Allied Control Commission, Germany, 1945-47. Returning home in the latter year, he became C.O. of 264 Scottish Beach Brigade, and was awarded the C.B.E., the recommendation citing his successful ‘liaison with the Royal Navy and his arrangements with the Directorate of Combined Operations, with the result that the maximum use has been made of available landing craft’.

Advanced to substantive Brigadier in July 1952, he was appointed Chief Administration Officer in Singapore in the latter month, and served there until being placed on the Retired List in 1954. And it was for his ‘fiery zeal and his enthusiasm’ in this role that he was awarded the C.B., the original recommendation further noting that above all, his thoughts were always ‘for the welfare of the troops and their families.’

In retirement, the Brigadier served as a J.P. for Argyllshire and was a member of the Queen’s Royal Bodyguard for Scotland (The Royal Company of Archers). He died in October 1972.

Sold with original portrait photographs (3), together with full research, including copies of the original recommendations for his C.B. and C.B.E., in addition to verification for his Coronation & Jubilee Medals; also see Lot 435 for his dress miniature medals.