The Collection of Medals Formed by Bill and Angela Strong

A Second World War Italy operations despatch rider’s M.M. group of five awarded to Signalman R. Warburton, Royal Signals

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2593045 Slgn. R. Warburton, R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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M.M. London Gazette 24 August 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘This Signalman is a Despatch Rider in 57 D.R. Section who has always got through, and his devotion to duty has been an inspiration and example to his fellow D.Rs at all times.

To quote two instances: At the beginning of the assault on Italy, he delivered despatches from Messina to the Reggio area under heavy fire, when other means were impossible. When the road at Motto was blocked by a snowdrift which had buried other vehicles, he, with his co-driver, cleared a path through after an hour’s hard digging in a bitter snow storm and effected delivery of his despatches.

Signalman Warburton’s work, particularly during the whole Italian campaign, has been definitely outstanding and deserving of recognition.’

Ronald Warburton was born in Bolton in February 1914 and enlisted in the Royal Signals in November 1939. Classified as a Despatch Rider, he was posted to the Middle East in June 1940, where he served in 4 Lines of Communication Signals from April 1941 and in 8th Army Signals from September 1942, and thence in 57 Despatch Rider Section In Italy. Returning to the U.K. in January 1945, Warburton was finally discharged in March 1946.