An impressive Second World War Italy operations M.B.E. group of twelve awarded to Temporary Major J. Lee, Royal Pioneer Corps, late Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment and Camel Corps

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. Lee); India General Service 1908-35, 2 clasps, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919, Waziristan 1919-21 (Lieut. J. Lee, Notts. & Derby. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Regular Army (7580867 Sjt. J. Lee, Foresters); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (Capt. J. Lee, R.P.C.), mounted as worn, the Great War period awards polished, thus fine, the remainder generally very fine or better (12) £500-600

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for the 1939-45 War.

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M.B.E. London Gazette 20 September 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Major Lee was appointed O.C. 26 F.M.A. in November 1943. Since August 1944 this F.M.A. unit has been responsible for Arezzo R.H. and also during part of the period Fiorentino R.H. During the peak period Arezzo R.H. was clearing 3,000 tons per day for the maintenance of 5th and 8th Armies. He has been responsible for the smooth running of all R.H. traffic, co-ordinating the services concerned and the supervising of R.H. labour and transport. In addition to stores clearance he has been responsible for the transit, feeding and welfare arrangements for the many thousands of reinforcements and leave personnel of all nationalities who pass through the F.M.A. each week. He gained the praise of all services for his general administrative ability and his handling of many problems which have arisen. In spite of being 50 years of age, his considerable drive and initiative, his willingness at all hours of the day or night to supervise the comfort and welfare of personnel in transit, and his devotion to duty to ensure the smooth running of the F.M.A. has been an example to all and in excess of the service called for in the normal course of duty.’

James Lee first entered the French theatre of war as a Corporal in the Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment in February 1917. Subsequently commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, he served in the 53rd Sillader Camel Corps in Egypt and Palestine, where he gained advancement to Temporary Captain and, following the Great War, was appointed a Lieutenant back in the Sherwood Foresters - he is confirmed as having received the above described India General Service Medal and clasps (his MIC entry refers). Sometime thereafter reverting to the Territorials, he was called up again in the 1939-45 War and, as cited above, awarded the M.B.E. for his services in Italy in the Pioneer Corps.