The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery

A fine Second War ‘North Africa’ M.M. and ‘Italy’ Second Award Bar group of six awarded to Gunner A. E. Hinman, 4 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (966950 Gnr. A. E. Hinman. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, extremely fine (6) £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943.
The recommendation states: ‘4 Medium Regt RA No. 966950 Gunner (Signaller) Alfred Hinman has been wireless operator of the O.P. for the majority of the campaign. Under extremely difficult conditions he has maintained an exceptionally high standard of efficiency. Under heavy shell fire (Tibourba, Bou Arada, Heidous, Bettioura, Longstop and the Bou feature) he has always shown complete disregard to personal safety in order to maintain communication. At Bou Arada on Feb. 26th, when left alone in the O.P. carrier, whilst his officer and Ack were on recce, the Germans advanced and the carrier came under M.G. and mortar fire, he remained on his set passing information back to the troop and was prepared to shoot the battery himself. In the attack on Mergab Chaouch April 8th, this signaller with the aid of one other carried a No. 11 set over six miles up a river bed mined and booby trapped, and immediately established communications when the hill was captured. In the night attack on Heidous with the Buffs April 16th approx. his wireless set was the only means of communication throughout the Battalion and he maintained communication all night under heavy M.G. and mortar fire.’

M.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 6 April 1944.
The recommendation states: ‘4 Medium Regt RA No. 966950 Gunner (Lance Bombardier) Alfred Edward Himan. On 13 Dec 43 Gr Himan was O.P. Assistant at the O.P. about 1½ miles NORTH WEST of SAN LEONARDO. During that day the cable from the remote control at the O.P. to the wireless set was broken several times by mortar and shell fire. On each occasion Gr Hinman went out along the line and mended the break. He did this in spite of continuous mortar, shell fire and sniping. He showed great coolness and gallantry with complete disregard of his own safety. He also located several enemy snipers and strong-points, pointing them out accurately and quickly to his O.P. officer so that they could be dealt with. Gnr Hinman's gallantry and resource had an important effect on the fire support of the attacks NORTH WEST of the R. MORRO. His devotion to duty was directly responsible for efficient communication to the guns.
Strongly recommended for immediate award of bar to the M.M.’

Alfred Edward Hinman was a native of Doncaster, Yorkshire

Sold with original news cuttings announcing award of both the M.M. and Bar; named card box of issue for M.M. and Bar with named Buckingham Palace enclosure; Telegram announcing award of Bar to M.M.; letter of congratulations on award of Bar from Brigadier, H.Q., Royal Artillery, A.C.M.F., and a cloth formation badge.