Major-General H. R. B. Foote, V.C., C.B., D.S.O., Royal Tank Regiment

Silver Presentation Cigarette Box, 145 x 112 x 69mm., hallmarked, with a hinged lid and a single drawer, wood lined interior, the front inscribed, ‘Presented to Lt. Col. H. R. B. Foote, V.C., D.S.O. on the occasion of his marriage from some of his friends in the Royal Tank Regiment, 28-12-44’, the lid inscribed with several facsimile signatures, very good condition £600-800

V.C. London Gazette 18 May 1944.

‘During the period 27 May / 15 June 1942 in Libya, Lieutenant Colonel Foote commanded his battalion with outstanding courage and leadership, always being at the crucial point at the right time. On 6 June, although wounded, he continued to lead his battalion from an exposed position on the outside of a tank, and succeeded in defeating the enemy’s attempt to encircle two of our divisions. On 13 June when a number of our tanks had been destroyed, he went on foot, from one tank to another, encouraging the crews under intense artillery and anti-tank fire. By his magnificent example the corridor was kept open for the brigade to march through’ (Ref. The Register of the Victoria Cross).

Henry Robert Bowman Foote was born in Ishapur, India on 5 December 1904. In his latter years he was the Director of the Royal Armoured Corps at the War Office (1955-58) and Vice-Chairman of the V.C. and G.C. Association (1968-93). He died in Pulborough, Sussex on 11 November 1993.