Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A most unusual Second World War B.E.M. group of five awarded to Trooper W. Robson, Royal Armoured Corps, who made safe a terrorist bomb in a Poona cinema in January 1943

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (7893051 Tpr. William Robson); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals very fine or better (5) £300-400

B.E.M. London Gazette 18 February 1944. The recommendation states:

‘On the night of 24 January 1943, Trooper Robson was in a cinema at Poona, India, when suddenly he heard a hissing noise under one of seats near to where he was seated. The noise was followed by a sheet of flame, and the audience stampeded to the exits. Trooper Robson and another man fetched two fire buckets and Trooper Robson poured water on to the object, which proved to be a bomb. He extinguished the fire and proceeded to examine the bomb. This was found to contain a mixture of cordite and sulphur, which was apparently ignited by some form of acid. In the centre of the bomb was a type of hand grenade. Trooper Robson placed the bomb in a bucket of water and carried it outside the building. His action undoubtedly prevented the bomb from exploding and causing a number of casualties.’

William Robson, who was born in April 1920, enlisted in the Royal Armoured Corps at Bury in May 1939. Service in India and Burma followed in the period March 1942 to October 1945, including a stint with the 25th Dragoons and action in the Arakan. He was discharged with an ‘Exemplary’ rating in September 1947, having been found medically unfit for further service.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the B.E.M., dated 4 September 1946; Regular Army certificate of discharge and Soldier’s Release Book; and four local newspaper cuttings reporting on the award of his B.E.M., two with portrait photographs.