A Post War ‘Malaya’ M.B.E. group of six awarded to Major L. M. Stansfield, East Yorkshire Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of The British Empire, M.B.E., Military, type 2; 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, E.II.R., 1 clasp, Malaya (Major, E. Yorks.) nearly extremely fine (6) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Richard Schweder Collection of Medals for Campaigns in Malaysia.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 30 October 1956. The original recommendation states: ‘Major Stansfield has been employed during the last two years as a Deputy Assistant Adjutant General at Headquarters Malaya Command. He has been responsible for co-ordinating all matters concerning the Federation Army and dealing himself with those subjects which are the concern of the Adjutant General’s Branch.

His work has been outstanding. The tenure of his appointment has covered a period of expansion of the Federation Army, and also the London Talks in February, which transferred the responsibilities of internal defence and security to the Federation Government. Both these matters have involved a great deal of forward planning. Major STANSFIELD has maintained his normal output of work to deal with current problems, and at the same time by the unsparing use of his own leisure has produced much valuable data for planning. As his knowledge of Federation Army matters is unique, it has been his lot to produce many briefs containing recommendation for the future policy of that army. The work he has produced has proved invaluable. It has however only been achieved by his subordinating all his own and his family interests to those of the Federation Army.

Major STANSFIELD’s conduct has been in the highest interest of the service and has enhanced the reputation of the British Army with those Government and the Civil Servants with whom he has had dealings. His work will be reflected in the future of the Federation Army and it is most highly recommended that his outstanding services should be recognised.’

Lionel Miles Stansfield was born in January 1918 and served in the ranks for nearly six years before being commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment in December 1942 in the rank of Second Lieutenant. He attained the rank of Major in January 1953 and in May 1957 was serving with the Malay Forces.