Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War B.E.M. group of six awarded to Quartermaster Sergeant James C. Battersby, Royal Army Service Corps

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (T/280839 A/Sgt. James C. Battersby, R.A.S.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, mounted court style, with R.A.S.C. cap badge in case, nearly extremely fine (7) £200-250

B.E.M. London Gazette 13 December 1945.

Recommendation reads: ‘This NCO has served overseas with this HQ (56 Area) since November 1942. Since July 1943 he has been Cpl i/c M/T. During this period this NCO has been responsible not only for the vehicles belonging to this HQ, but also for those belonging to various small detachments without parent units. Since October 1944 while this HQ has been in Naples, he has also been responsible for the maintenance of a large number of vehicles from the AFHQ Staff and Services pool, and is now responsible for 34 cars and trucks, as against his normal responsibility of 13 held on War Establishment. Cpl. Battersby has during the whole period shown sustained energy and devotion to duty. He has brought the maintenance of M/T to a very high standard, not withstanding the issue of outworn vehicles to a static HQ such as this, and the difficulty in obtaining spare parts. He has obtained the best results from the many civilian drivers employed. At all times of the day and night he has gone out personally to attend to breakdowns. His example and devotion to duties exceeded those normally expected of his rank are considered to merit the award of the B.E.M.’

With Buckingham Palace congratulations slip dated 26th September 1946 regreting that the King was unable to personally present the award; Central Chancery registered envelope addressed to ‘Sergt. James C. Battersby, B.E.M., 674 Great West Road, Asterley Park, S. Toleworth, Middlesex’; R.A.S.C. Record Office slip confirming the W.W.2 medals, with accompanying address label to ‘Mr S. C. Battersby, 674 Great West Road, Osterley Park, Isleworth, Middlesex’; slip to accompany the W.W.2 medals; and a letter addressed to ‘Q.M.S. J. Battersby, H.Q. 56 Area, C.M.F.’ from a former soldier who served under his command. With copied recommendation.