Eight: Captain (Quartermaster) R. Tillotson, Scots Guards

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (2695870 W.O. Cl.2. R. Tillotson. S.G.); Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (2695870 W.O. Cl.1. R. Tillotson. S.G.) nearly extremely fine (8) £300-£400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of David Lloyd.

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Ronald Tillotson was born on 17 August 1919 and ‘enlisted into the Scots Guards in 1938 and for most of his service was in the 2nd Battalion, which he joined in Egypt. He was Company Sergeant-Major of “F” Company at the Battle of Medenine, and by the time of the Salerno landings had been promoted Drill Sergeant. And it was as a Drill Sergeant that he went to Malaya with the Battalion during the emergency from 1948 to 1951. On their return to England he was made R.Q.M.S. and served in that appointment in Germany until he became Superintending Clerk in 1954. He was commissioned two years later and served in H.Q. 1st Guards Brigade and the 1st Battalion until 1959, when he was appointed Station Staff Officer, Dusseldorf. The 2nd Battalion were delighted to meet him again in Kenya where he was serving as Quartermaster of the 3rd Kenya Rifles, and he was always present at Battalion functions of every sort. It was fitting, therefore, that on the return home of his old battalion to England at the end of 1964 he should rejoin us, and he was tower of strength as Messing Officer.
“Tower of Strength” aptly describes Tilly. He was big in stature and big in heart, never ruffled or flustered, and was an example to all of us as to what a Scots Guardsman should be.’ (the recipient Obituary, from the Household Brigade Magazine, Summer 1966 refers).