Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Gulf 1990-91, 1 clasp, 16 Jan to 28 Feb 1991 (24721482 LCpl P J Roberts LG) one or two edge bruises, good very fine and scarce £500-550

Lance-Corporal P. J. Roberts served in 3 Troop, ‘A’ Squadron of the Life Guards, and, in company with his Squadron C.O., Major James Hewitt, was attached to the 14/15 Hussars Battle Group (accompanying regimental roll confirms).

At 1930 hours on 25 January 1991, ‘A’ Squadron spearheaded the entire British ground assault on the Iraqi Armoured Divisions, 3 Troop being credited with the unit’s first “kill” in the form of an enemy A.P.C.-tank. Some 97 hours later, after non-stop driving and fighting, 1st Armoured Division finished up in positions straddling the main Kuwait Road, with an unimpeded straight run to Basra, having virtually annihilated the Iraqi Armoured Divisions, destroying over 220 tanks and taking 7000 prisoners.

For its own part, ‘A’ Squadron, Hewitt’s command, departed Iraq on 31 March, having, in the words of one eye-witness, ‘started and finished with 14 battle-worthy tanks, and covered 300 kms., attacking ten positions on the way. We estimate to have destroyed or damaged 12 tanks, 10 M.T.L.Bs, 15 artillery pieces, 20 B. vehicles, and possibly killed or injured as many as 200 men.’

Hewitt was subsequently mentioned in despatches, but today, of course, is best remembered for his relationship with H.R.H. the late Princess of Wales.

Roberts received his Gulf Medal from the hands of the Gold Stick at a special ceremony held at Sennilager in 1992. Sold with copied research.