Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Private J. A. Rogers, Worcestershire Regiment, killed in action in March 1941 at Keren, the last Italian stronghold in Eritrea

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (5248331 Pte. J. A. Rogers, Worc. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal, extremely fine (4) £150-200

Private James Arthur Rogers, 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, was killed in action on 17 March 1941, aged 26. He was the son of James and Lily Rogers, of Reading, Berkshire, and is buried in Keren War Cemetery.

Keren was the last Italian stronghold in Eritrea and the scene of the most decisive battle of the war in East Africa in February and March 1941. Guarding the entrance from the western plains to the Eritrean plateau, the only road passing through a deep gorge with precipitous and well fortified mountains on either side, Keren formed a perfect defensive position. On these heights the Italians concentrated some 23,000 riflemen, together with a large number of well sited guns and mortars. A preliminary assault by United Kingdom and Indian troops was repulsed after a week of bitter fighting, although they gained and held a valuable position on Cameron's Ridge, on the left of the road. The final battle began a month later. After ten days of gruelling combat the Commonwealth troops succeeded in forcing their way through the seemingly impregnable defences on the ridge and finally through the 200 metre long road block which the Italians had blasted at the narrowest point in the pass. Keren was taken on 27 March. The defeated Italian force retreated in some disarray to Asmara, which fell to Commonwealth forces on 1 April, and the Italian surrender was taken at the port of Massawa on 8 April.

In the attack by the 1st Worcesters on Falestoh, before Keren, on the 17th of March, the regiment lost three officers and 17 other ranks killed, and three officers and 52 other ranks wounded, of whom 7 subsequently died.