Orders, Decorations and Medals

An exceptional military M.B.E. pair awarded to Major Robert Pipon Montgomery, Royal Berkshire Regiment, in recognition of Brave Conduct during the Mau Mau Rebellion in Kenya - he personally killed 16 terrorists

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Kenya (R. P. Montgomery) nearly extremely fine (2) £600-800

M.B.E. London Gazette 1 June 1954. ‘.... in recognition of brave conduct in Kenya’. ‘Second-Lieutenant (now Lieutenant) Robert Pipon Montgomery (420273), The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales’s) (now Territorial Army)’.

Recommendation reads: ‘At about 1100 hours on the 4th March 1954, in the area of Kevote Mission, Lieutenant Montgomery, whilst leading his Platoon, observed a gang of approximately 15 terrorists move along a ridge and enter a Banana Plantation. At that time his Platoon was in extended order formation and he was accompanied by only one Askari. Without hesitation Lieutenant Montgomery ran towards the enemy and surprised the terrorists. Lieutenant Montgomery and the Askari immediately opened fire. All the members of the Mau Mau gang were seen to fall, Lieutenant Montgomery personally killed two. This initiated an action in which his Platoon killed five terrorists and all the rest were believed to have been wounded although they escaped. One of the wounded was subsequently captured and found to be “General” Gatanga, who had been wounded seven times.

At about 1700 hours a further gang ambushed an Indian Trader’s vehicle on the main Embu-Runyenges road, killing the Indian. Lieutenant Montgomery’s Platoon was ordered to the scene at about 1915 hours when the information was received. Darkness prevented further action but the following day at first light he was ordered back to the area with orders to follow the tracks, if any.

The Platoon immediately picked up a trail and, at about 1115 hours, made contact with a gang of about 20 Mau-Mau. The Platoon immediately attacked and killed 9 gangsters. During the action Lieutenant Montgomery led his men with great dash and determination and personally accounted for two Mau-Mau. Ammunition was collected from the corpses but no arms were recovered.

During both these actions this Officer’s tactical handling of his troops and his drive and determination were superb. His outstanding leadership, initiative and personal courage are, without doubt, exceptional, and it is entirely due to his all round ability and fighting personality that the success described were achieved.

Lieutenant Montgomery’s personal example has been pronounced throughout the Operations against the Mau-Mau since the start of the State of Emergency in October 1952. He is a National Service Officer who has led the same Platoon throughout the Emergency. Due entirely to his leadership and training ability his Platoon has killed 67 Mau-Mau terrorists and captured several service weapons. He, himself, has killed 16 terrorists. He has also engaged a Mau-Mau gangster in hand to hand combat, the man eventually being shot by an Askari when Lieutenant Montgomery was pinned to the ground.’

Cadet Robert Pipon Montgomery was appointed a 2nd Lieutenant with the Royal Berkshire Regiment in December 1951 and was advanced to Lieutenant in September 1953. The London Gazette of 11 June 1954 records that he was transferred from the Regional Army National Service List to be a 2nd Lieutenant, 19 May 1954, with seniority 22 December 1951, and was granted the acting rank of Lieutenant, 19 May 1954, with seniority 4 September 1953. He reverted to 2nd Lieutenant, retaining his seniority on 19 September 1954 and was again appointed a Lieutenant on 26 January 1955, with seniority 31 August 1954. Montgomery was appointed a Captain in the King’s African Rifles in July 1959 and was transferred to the 2nd Green Jackets in August 1964. He attained the rank of Major in July 1966 and retired on 1 October 1976.

With original commission document appointing him Lieutenant on 1 July 1957, in card container bearing the address - ‘Lieut. R. P. Montgomery, Emp. List 1, 5 Bn. K.A.R., Nanyuki, Kenya, East Africa’; local Kenyan driving licence bearing a photograph of the recipient; an original copy of a letter sent to Montgomery from the Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office, re. the presentation of the M.B.E., with envelope addressed to ‘Lieutenant Robert P. Montgomery, M.B.E., The Royal Berkshire Regiment, T.A., c/o The District Commissioner, Fort Hall, Kenya.’ Also with copied gazette extracts and recommendation.