The Alan Cathery Collection of Medals to The Buffs, the East Kent Regiment

An outstanding Second War ‘Anzio Beach-head’ Immediate M.C. group of six awarded to Major J. E. Rolo, 1st Battalion, The Buffs

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, together with original M.I.D. Certificate, dated 13 January 1944 (Captain (T/Major) J. E. Rolo, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)) extremely fine (6) £1,200-£1,600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Alan Cathery Collection of Medals to The Buffs, the East Kent Regiment.

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Collection

The Robert F. Brett Collection of Medals to the Buffs, Dix Noonan Webb, September 1999.

M.C. London Gazette 20 July 1944:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The original recommendation for an Immediate M.C. states: ‘For outstanding leadership and bravery in the Anzio Beach-head on 3rd March 1944. Major J. E. Rolo’s gallant conduct is strongly recommended for an award. The Buffs were holding 2,000 yards front East of the Flyover Bridge when it became known that the enemy was occupying a house with infantry, supported by tanks 500 yards in front of and threatening the left forward company.
At 19.35 hours Major Rolo led his raiding-party of 40 men (2 weak Platoons of “A” Company) through our own wire on a dark and very wet night after being heavily shelled in his assembly area. Supported by an Artillery programme fired by 180 guns he saw the house after going 1,200 yards by compass. The party approached the house from the rear or north at 20.15 hours over deep shell holes full of mud in which his men floundered with their weapons.
When at 20 yards from the house the enemy opened up with two machine guns from ground level and with automatics from the upper windows. As a result of the mud it was found that only one Bren out of six, and one Tommy Gun, could return fire, and the attacking party was at a loss how to act. Without hesitation Major Rolo used his voice and led his men straight for the house and surrounded it, himself receiving a bullet in the leg at ten yards range. It was on his orders that the one Bren silenced the machine gun at the door enabling several men to get into the house and force the enemy to the upper storey, and it was his calm orders which directed the throwing of grenades through the upper windows.
After 20 minutes on the objective, when only one automatic was still being fired from the house, enemy machine-guns opened from across the road to the NW and the expected counter attack seemed probable. Major Rolo rallied his men and after going 200 yards was rewarded by the surrender of twelve prisoners from slit trenches. He made the prisoners carry our own wounded, and ignoring his own wound brought the whole raiding party back to our lines.
The raid identified a new enemy unit on the front [146th Grenadier Regiment of 65 Division], and on reports from subsequent prisoners killed 30 Germans including the only two officers who were in the house. Two of our officers and seven men (one since died) were wounded.
The success of this action was due largely to the personal inspiration of its leader, whose conduct in action was of the same high order in both the Libyan and Tunisian campaigns.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 January 1944:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’