Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘Burma Operations’ O.B.E. group of seven awarded to Brigadier C. M. C. Luff, Royal Army Service Corps

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, these unnamed, mounted for display, slight edge bruising, very fine and better (7) £450-550

O.B.E. (military) London Gazette 28 June 1945. ‘... in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma.’ ‘Colonel (temporary) Cecil Montague Clavell Luff (13693), Royal Army Service Corps (Worthing)’.

Recommendation reads:

‘During the recent operations on the Kohima Rd., and on the Imphal Plain (Burma) this Officer has carried out his duties in the highest tradition of the R.A.S.C. Lacking in transport, short of supply personnel, with an impossible L of C, he never once failed to get supplies, petrol and ammunition to the forward troops. The work of the R.I.A.S.C. in this Corps, which has been beyond praise, has largely been due to the direction given to it and the example set by Col. Luff.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 26 July 1940; 20 December 1940; 19 September 1946.

Cecil Montague Clavell Luff was born on 29 April 1898 and educated at Sherborne and the Royal Military College. As a 2nd Lieutenant in the A.S.C. he entered France in 16 August 1916. Promoted to Lieutenant in October 1917 and attached to the Dorset Regiment. Serving in the R.A.S.C. he was promoted to Captain in April 1927, Major in August 1938 and Acting Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1940. Served as Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, May 1940-May 1945 when he was advanced to that rank. Served as Acting Colonel and Acting Brigadier in May 1945. Luff commanded the R.A.S.C. element in the 2nd Division in France 1939-40, for which he was twice mentioned in despatches. He then accompanied the 2nd Division to Burma in 1942. Served as D.D.S.T. (Colonel) India, July 1943-May 1945 and D.D.S.T. (Brigadier) S.E. Asia, May-December 1945. For his service there, he was again mentioned in despatches and was also awarded the O.B.E.

With original certificates for the three M.I.D’s.; a wooden plaque with plates inscribed, ‘25th Reunion, 24th April 1971’ and ‘Brig. C. M. C. Luff, O.B.E., President 2 Div. R.A.S.C. O.C.A.’; riband bars; and a quantity of copied research.