Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War M.B.E. group of seven awarded to Captain R. C. Breton, 14th Punjab Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, good very fine (7) £350-400

M.B.E. London Gazette 8 February 1945:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma and on the Eastern Frontier of India.’

The original recommendation states:

‘This officer has worked as Q.M. to his battalion for two and a half years in the Dudan, Western Desert, Iraq and the Arakan, and throughout this period has showed extremely high devotion to duty and more than ordinary energy and keenness in keeping his battalion superlatively supplied in, on many occasions, the most difficult conditions of weather, terrain and enemy action. He has above average determination and ability to carry his excellently planned efforts to their full conclusion and through his efforts the Battalion never lacked any thing that it was his duty to supply, while he was Quarter-Master. His untiring zeal and splendid work are fully worthy of recognition.’

Robert Constantine Breton was serving in 3/14 Punjab Regiment at the time of the above related deeds. In submitting his claim for the above described awards to the Services Department of the Commonwealth Relations Office from his office in Karachi in August 1955, he stated:

‘I joined the 14th Punjab Regimental Centre about April 1941 and was posted to the 3/14th Punjab Regiment then in the Sudan in May 1941. I remained with the 3/14th Punjab Regiment in the Middle East until August 1942 when the Regiment was transferred to Paiforce. I remained in Paiforce with the Battalion until June 1943 when the whole of the 5th Indian Division, with which we were serving, was transferred to India for training in jungle warfare. We remained in training in Behar until December 1943 when the Division moved into the Arakan and I was with my battalion in 5th Indian Division until either January or February 1944 when I was invalided out and sent to hospital at Bareilly and then in March returned to the Regimental Centre at Ferozepore. I remained at the Regimental Centre until May 1944 when I was sent to Junior Staff College, Quetta, where I completed the Junior Staff Course and passed out successfully at the end of July 1944. Thereafter I was discharged from military service in August 1944 and returned to my shipping business where my presence was required for work of national importance.’

Sold with original Buckingham Palace Coronation Medal 1953 certificate, in the name of ‘Mr. R. C. Breton’, together with an old carbon copy of his medal application letter (as quoted above) and original Commonwealth Relations Office reply, dated 29 August 1955, together with a file of research.