A Collection of Medals to The Royal Engineers

An extremely rare Second World War Italy operations M.M. and immediate Bar awarded to Lance-Sergeant J. N. Horne, Royal Engineers

Military Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (1896145 L. Sjt. J. N. Horne, R.E.) extremely fine £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to The Royal Engineers.

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Approximately 165 First Bars to the M.M. were awarded in the 1939-45 War, 16 of them to the Royal Engineers.

M.M. London Gazette 21 December 1944. The recommendation states:

‘During the campaign in Italy, the above mentioned N.C.O. carried out many reconnaissances by day and by night, in front of our forward troops. On the night of 4-5 January 1944, this Company was engaged in the crossing of the River Peccia. Soon after work on the crossing had started, mortar and shellfire was registered in the crossing area. By his devotion to duty and complete disregard of his personal safety, he was an inspiration to all ranks. Throughout the whole campaign Lance-Sergeant Horne has shown exceptional coolness, resource and powers of leadership.’

Bar to M.M. London Gazette 8 February 1945. The immediate award recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Horne was a Platoon Sergeant of a platoon of one of the leading Field Companies during operations against the Gothic Line between 26 August and 4 September 1944. During this period two successive Platoon Officers were wounded and had to be evacuated so that Sergeant Horne became a Platoon Commander. On 3 September, while his platoon was working with the tanks it came under heavy and accurate shellfire and suffered casualties. Sergeant Horne rallied his men and succeeded in getting the tanks through to their next objective. Throughout the operations this N.C.O. led his platoon with courage, skill and determination, and by his example maintained their morale at a very high standard.’

John Niel Horne was serving with 271 Field Company, R.E. at the time of the above related deeds. As verified by accompanying research, his work during the crossing of the River Peccia was undoubtedly of the hair-raising kind. Major-General R. P. Pakenham Walsh states in his History of the Corps of Royal Engineers that the Germans must have had a listening post near the chosen crossing point, for the Engineers were heavily and accurately shelled thoughout the time it took them to erect two Bailey bridges across the river, nearly 50% of their number becoming casualties.