A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units

The remarkable campaign group of six awarded to Corporal R. Roberts, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, late Royal Marines, attached King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and Durham Light Infantry, who later served with the French Foreign Legion in North Africa and French Somaliland, and with the Royal Australian Air Force in Vietnam

1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (21182353. Cpl. R. Roberts. D.C.L.I.); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (21182353 Pte. R. Roberts. D.L.I.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, mounted court-style for display purposes, contact marks and minor edge bruising, generally very fine, the GSM scarce to unit (6) £600-£800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the 46th Foot and its Successor Units.

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Buckland Dix & Wood, July 1995.

Roy Frederick Thacker Roberts (who also served at various points under the aliases Roberson and Dixon) attested for the Royal Marines on 21 July 1942 and served with them for the remainder of the Second World War. He transferred to the Army (General Service Corps) on 18 December 1947, and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry on 1 April 1948. He served with them in East Africa from 25 September 1948 to 3 August 19149 (during which, on a four week trek through Ethiopia, some bandits stole all his gear); in Malaya from 20 October 1950, attached to the 1st Battalion King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry; and then in Korea from 15 March to 25 October 1953, attached to the Durham Light Infantry. He saw further service in Bermuda, Jamaica, and Belize, and was discharged from the British Army in the rank of Corporal on 29 May 1957.

Remarkably, Roberts’ time with the British Forces was only a minor part of his career. After a year on civvy street he went to Paris and joined the French Foreign Legion, under the assumed name of Roberson, stating Dutch nationality. He was machine gunner and rifleman and fought against the Arabs in Algeria and in French Somaliland. He was with the Legion for 8 years qualifying after three years as Legionnaire First Class. He lived in the desert on combat rations and in the meantime learned to speak French and German. He left the Legion on 19 August 1966 on completion of his contract and ‘did a couple of trips as a dishwasher on the liner Iberia on the England to Australia run.’ (article in RAAF News refers).

On 23 April 1968, while in Perth, Western Australia, Roberts enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force, this time under the assumed name of Dixon, his express reason being that he wished to serve in Vietnam. After overcoming various bureaucratic hurdles he finally received an operational posting to 2 Squadron, and served with them in Vietnam for 16 months, from 18 March 1969 to 19 March 1970, and again from 3 March to 30 June 1971, where, amongst other adventures, ‘he hitched lifts in helicopters so he could act as door gunner.’ But by now age was catching up with him, and after a year on non-active duties, and following some ‘odd’ behaviour, he was interviewed by a R.A.A.F. Psychologist. Their report, dated 23 November 1972, makes interesting reading:

‘After a long history of Military association, he has always been proud of the uniform he has worn; always seeking active service ands engaging in a good deal of fantasy about “engaging the enemy”. He has definite levels of aspirations which are not commensurate with his ability, and this sort of situation is ideal for reinforcing his tendency to reminisce and fantasise. I believe that he as reached a point in this his life when he can no longer fantasise successfully. There is now a crack in is defences and he is thus forced with realities. His is 48 and realises that his chances of active service are less than nil. He has always shown odd behaviour, restlessness, and a need for novelty, change, and excitement. However, he now realises that the R.A.A.F. can no longer provide the environment he seek and (unless we can start a special war for him so that he can be posted on active service) his condition will rapidly deteriorate. I recommend that his is discharged “temperamentally unsuited to Service life”.’

Roberts was finally discharged out of the Royal Australian Air Force, and service life, on 16 November 1973. In addition to the medals in this lot he also received the Vietnam Medal 1964-73; the Republic of Vietnam Medal with clasp 1960-; and the French Médaille Commémorative des Opérations de Sécurité et de Maintien de l’Ordre en Afrique du Nord, with clasp Algérie; as well as the United States of America Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Vietnam Unit Citation Medal and Gallantry Cross with palm.

Sold with extensive copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.