A Second World War ‘East African’ B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant and Quartermaster M. Reat, Royal Signals, attached Sudan Defence Force

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (2312307 R.Q.M.S. Malcolm Reat); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2312307 Sgln., R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; Army Meritorious Service Medal, G.VI.R., 3rd issue (2312307 W.O.Cl.2, B.E.M., R. Sigs.), mounted court style for display, very fine and better (7) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for the Egypt and Sudan Campaigns from the collection of Colin Narbeth.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 16 April 1942. ‘... in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period July, 1941, to October, 1941 ...’ ‘No.3212307 Company Quarter-Master-Sergeant (acting Warrant Officer Class II (Regimental Quarter-Master-Sergeant) Malcolm Reat, Royal Corps of Signals (attached Sudan Defence Force) (Stockton-on-Tees)’.

B.E.M. recommendation states: ‘During the past year this N.C.O., the senior British N.C.O. in the unit, has been entirely responsible for the M.T. and Technical stores, there being no regular Quartermaster. His task has been rendered more laborious through having to deal with the S.D.F. Ordnance Depot as well as the British. By virtue of his technical trade qualifications and shortage of personnel he has also frequently been called upon to supervise and help in the Instrument Mechanics and Battery Charging Shops. Throughout the whole period he has worked very long hours and by his conscientious devotion to his duty has ensured the smooth flow of stores to sections operating in Eritrea, Abyssinia and Kufra. In particular in the last few months, in addition to his normal work, he has been called upon to produce new War Equipment tables on the reorganisation of this unit’.

Malcolm Reat was commissioned a Lieutenant and Quartermaster on 8 August 1945 (London Gazette 8 February 1946).