A rare pre-war Palestine operations B.E.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Corporal L. Morris, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for his services in 42nd Field Company, R.E. - which unit’s duties included the removal of booby-traps

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1854737 Lce. Cpl. Leonard Morris, R.E.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (1854737 Spr. L. Morris, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C. Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (18544737 Spr. L. Morris, R.E.), mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £1200-1500

B.E.M. London Gazette 11 May 1937.

Leonard Morris was discharged from the Royal Engineers in April 1938, having been awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in the same year, so must have been recalled on the outbreak of hostilities. In so far as the award of his B.E.M. is concerned - one of just eight such awards for the pre-war Palestine operations and a unique example to the Royal Engineers - an accompanying letter from the R.E. Museum states:

‘The duties of 42nd Field Company included the punitive destruction of Arab houses, the removal of booby-traps, quarrying work and assistance to 8th Railway Company, R.E., in railway repair and defence.’

Interestingly, two officers from the same unit received M.B.Es for this period of operations in Palestine, their recommendations citing ‘the destruction by explosives of houses in Old Jaffa.’