Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘North Africa’ M.M. group of eight awarded to Corporal Albert Sneath, 1/7th Battalion Queen’s Regiment

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6090214 Pte., The Queen’s R.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (6090214 Cpl., M.M., Queen’s) mounted as worn, good very fine (8) £1400-1600

M.M. London Gazette 19 August 1943.

Recommendation states: ‘Pte Sneath was No. 1 Bren Gunner of a fighting patrol on the night of 25/26 Apr. 43. Whilst the patrol was approaching the objective it came under enemy M.G. fire. Pte. Sneath immediately returned this fire whilst the remainder of the patrol formed up for the assault. He continued to give covering fire until his weapon was destroyed. He then followed up the assaulting party, took a Tommy gun and ammunition from a wounded man and joined his patrol Comd. [He] was then ordered to cover the withdrawal of the patrol, and this he did until all were clear.

Whilst returning himself he came across one of his N.C.O’s. who was wounded in the legs. He carried him for some distance, and then came under heavy M.G. fire and was forced to take cover. He then saw a M.G. post firing about 15 yards away from him, and leaving the wounded N.C.O. crawled to within 5 yards of the post and fired his remaining ammunition. The M.G. did not fire again.

He then proceeded towards our lines until hearing a noise on his right; he saw a party of men approaching. He hid the wounded N.C.O. in a hollow and himself took cover in some bushes whilst a German patrol passed within a few feet of them. Continuing on once more with his burden he found himself near his Coy position. Leaving the wounded man he came into our lines, secured medical aid and led them back to the wounded N.C.O., who was safely brought in.

This soldiers conduct undoubtedly enabled the patrol to withdraw safely, and his efforts in bringing in the wounded N.C.O. saved the latter from being taken prisoner’.

Albert Sneath of Peckham, London, served in the Territorial Army before the war. During the war he served in Greece in 1941 and thence in the Middle East. Serving at the battle of El Alamein, he was wounded, which resulted in 16 weeks in hospital. He later served in Italy and was at Normandy on D-Day.

Sold with copied recommendation, photograph and newspaper extract, and original slip signed by Major-General L. G. Whistler (?), Rear HQ 7 Armd. Div., dated 16 July 1943, transmitting the congratulations of the G.O.C. and forwarding a piece of M.M. ribbon; another, signed by L. G. Whistler (?), HQ, Queen’s Lorried Infantry Bde., dated 16 July 1943, transmitting his own congratulations; and a third, signed by Major-General Keir (?), Rear HQ 7 Armd. Div., dated 30 July 1943, transmitting his congratulations (these slips fragile and torn); also with an original Buckingham Palace Investiture Ticket, dated 13 March 1945.