A Second World War North African campaign Immediate M.C. awarded to Lieutenant J. K. B. Foss, Royal Engineers, attached 21 Field Company Indian Engineers, serving with 29th Indian Infantry Brigade; he was later mentioned in despatches for services in Burma in 1945

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1942, on original investiture pin in its Royal Mint case of issue, hinge broken on this, otherwise extremely fine £550-£650

M.C. London Gazette 24 September 1942. The recommendation states:

‘At Fuka on 28 June 1942, Lt. Beart Foss was commanding a section of 21 Fd Coy IE with 29th Indian Infantry Brigade when the position was overrun by enemy tanks and infantry.
When the order to withdraw was given, the tanks were only a few yards away. Lt. Foss ran to his truck, and at great personal risk drove it at high speed in front of the enemy tanks with the object of raising a cloud of dust sufficient to enable his men to get to their vehicles in safety. By this means he succeeded in withdrawing the greater part of his command and assisted the escape of others. After dark, he remained in the vicinity and collected a number of vehicles and men of his unit, and brought them in a formed body to the rear areas. By his bravery and resource he saved over 100 men who would otherwise have been taken prisoners.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 27 September 1945 (Burma).

Sold with original M.I.D. certificate named to ‘Major (temp.) J. K. B. Foss, M.C., Royal Engineers’, and transcript of the announcement of the award and citation as published in The Times of 26 September 1942.