Orders, Decorations and Medals

An exceptional ‘Defence of Tobruk’ M.M. group of five awarded to Bombardier D. White, Royal Artillery, for succesfully engaging a hostile aircraft with his Lewis Gun

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (846326 Bmbr., R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal; Efficiency Medal, Teritorial, 1st issue (846326 Bmbr., R.A.) the first with edge bruises, otherwise very fine and better (5) £400-500

M.M. London Gazette 18 July 1941.

Recommendation States ‘On 11th April 1941 at “D” H.A.A. gun site, Tobruk Fortress, at approximately 10:30 hours. The guns were engaging an enemy formation which was dive-bombing the town and harbour. One hostile machine having completed its dive, flattened out and headed straight for the gun position, which was unable to engage so low a target. One remaining bomb was clearly seen in the bomb rack, and the enemy machine was gunning as he approached at about 50 feet from the ground. Bombardier White dashed across the open ground with a Lewis gun, which had little or no cover and engaged the aircraft. His tracer bullets were seen to pass through the plane which sheered away from its course, and was later dealt with by a Hurricane aircraft. Bombardier White ran for and remained at his gun site in spite if vicious fire, and in my opinion saved the site from the remaining bomb. This site had been straddled by bombs on the previous day.’

Efficiency Medal, Territorial awarded in Army Order No, 123, June 1944.