Orders, Decorations and Medals

A superb ‘Anzio’ M.C. group of six awarded to Major J. E. Rolo, 1st Battalion, The Buffs
Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn together with original M.I.D. Certificate, dated 13 January 1944 (Captain (T/Major) J. E. Rolo, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)) extremely fine (6) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brett Collection of Medals to The Buffs.

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M.C. London Gazette 20 July 1944 ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 January 1944 ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’

The following citation was published in regimental records: ‘For outstanding leadership and bravery in the Anzio beach-head on 3rd March 1944. Major J. E. Rolo’s gallant conduct is strongly recommended for an award. The Buffs were holding 2,000 yards front East of the Flyover Bridge when it became known that the enemy was occupying a house with infantry, supported by tanks 500 yards in front of and threatening the left forward company.

At 19.35 hours Major Rolo led his raiding-party of 40 men (2 weak Platoons of “A” Company) through our own wire on a dark and very wet night after being heavily shelled in his assembly area. Supported by an Artillery programme fired by 180 guns he saw the house after going 1,200 yards by compass. The party approached the house from the rear or north at 20.15 hours over deep shell holes full of mud in which his men floundered with their weapons.

When at 20 yards from the house the enemy opened up with two machine guns from ground level and with automatics from the upper windows. As a result of the mud it was found that only one Bren out of six, and one Tommy Gun, could return fire, and the attacking party was at a loss how to act. Without hesitation Major Rolo used his voice and led his men straight for the house and surrounded it, himself receiving a bullet in the leg at ten yards range. It was on his orders that the one Bren silenced the machine gun at the door enabling several men to get into the house and force the enemy to the upper story, and it was his calm orders which directed the throwing of grenades through the upper windows.’


The regimental history continues the story: ‘Prisoners having been taken and the strength of the defences determined, Major Rolo decided to withdraw, overrunning as he went more enemy positions from the rear and bringing his total haul of prisoners to twelve in the process, all from the 146th Grenadier Regiment of 65 Division. Casualties inflicted on the enemy in and around the house are not known. The Buffs suffered no more than nine wounded, including Major Rolo and Lieut. K. H. Bird, fortunately only slight in the case of the two officers. All casualties were safely brought in.’