Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘El Alamein’ M.M. group of eight awarded to Major J. Allen, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, late 14th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, who was later taken prisoner at Anzio

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4971332 Sjt., Foresters); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, these all inscribed, ‘293134 Capt. J. Allen, Foresters’; General Service 1918-62, E.II.R., 1 clasp, Malaya (Capt., M.M., R.A.O.C.) contact marks, very fine (8) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

View
Collection

M.M. London Gazette 28 January 1943. (53 Military Medals were awarded to the Sherwood Foresters during World War II).

Recommendation: ‘The conduct, courage and example of this N.C.O. throughout the engagements of 24th October and 2nd November, 1942, were most praiseworthy. He handled his section of M.M.G’s. with great daring and skill throughout. On the 2nd November he got his guns into action and remained in action throughout the day, under heavy enemy fire the whole time, and at times subject to ground fire from both sides, and also intense air bombing from our own side. He carried out considerable enemy execution during the day. During the air bombardment, his section suffered casualties and Sgt. Allen was stunned. When he recovered in the evening, he found himself alone and attempted to withdraw his M.Gs. Being unable to do this, he removed and carried away the locks and later rejoined the remnants of his company. His dauntless courage and resourcefulness throughout the entire action merit the highest praise.’

John Allen came from Londonderry. As a Sergeant in the 14th Battalion Sherwood Foresters, he won his M.M. for actions at El Alamein. At the time of his M.M. award, the recipient was at Officer Cadet School. He was commissioned into the 14th Battalion Sherwood Foresters on 10 April 1943 and was promoted to war substantive Lieutenant on 10 October 1943. Allen was captured by the Germans at Anzio on 14 March 1944 and was held as a prisoner-of-war at Oflag 07B at Eichstatt as prisoner No. 4373. After the war, on 7 September 1945, he transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps as a Lieutenant. He became a Temporary Captain on 3 August 1946 and Captain on 10 April 1949. Attaining the rank of Major on 10 April 1956, he retired to the Emergency Reserve of Officers on 1 August 1956.

With copied research. Note: not entitled to the ‘France and Germany Star’.