Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.C. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant R. W. Quinton, Witwatersrand Rifles, who received multiple wounds in a gallant 48 hour action in which heavy casualties were inflicted on the enemy

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, these six officially inscribed ‘P4082 R. W. Quinton’; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Permanent Force (Lt. R. W. Quinton, S.A.A.C.), mounted court-style as worn, the last with edge bruise/cut at 5 o’clock but a rare addition to a 1939-45 War gallantry group, otherwise generally very fine or better (8) £1600-1800

M.C. London Gazette 8 March 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘On the morning of 19 October 1944, during the attack on the mountain position of Pt. 806, ‘B’ Company had to secure Pt. 734 and on approaching this position the forward platoons were pinned down by withering enemy Spandau and rifle fire from their flank and a house on their objective. In spite of the intensity of the enemy fire, Lieutenant Quinton skilfully manoeuvred his platoon into a position from which with dogged determination he led an assault capturing the house, killing eight of the enemy and wounding many others. While in this position, he was wounded in the head, shoulders and left hand but refused to be evacuated. The enemy launches several counter-attacks but with superb leadership and great courage, Lieutenant Quinton, wounded as he was, beat the enemy back inflicting further heavy casualties amongst their ranks. For an hour he grimly held his ground in spite of intense hostile mortar and shell fire until the other two platoons had come up and consolidated. Throughout the day there was fierce fighting and heavy shelling but because of the ever present threat of a counter-attack in force, Lieutenant Quinton remained on duty until the Company was relieved on the morning of the 21 October. His brilliant leadership and dauntless courage inspired his platoon for their gallant stand which enabled the Company to attain their objective in the face of the most determined enemy resistance.’

Richard William Quinton was born in Beaufort West District in April 1915 and enlisted in the Union Defence Force in July 1933. Advanced to Corporal in January 1936, to Sergeant in January 1939, and to Warrant Officer Class II in January 1942, he was appointed a Cadet in the South African Permanent Force in September of the latter year, following which, in February 1943, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the S.A. Armoured Corps.

Embarked for the Middle East in April 1943, he was posted to the 1st Battalion, Witwatersrand Rifles, seeing action in North Africa and gaining advancement to Lieutenant, but it was for the above deeds in Italy in October 1944 that he was awarded his M.C. Latterly placed on the strength of 6 S.A. Armoured Division’s Reserve Motorised Battalion, he ended the War as a Captain and Quarter-Master.

Quinton returned to the Union in February 1946 and, gaining appointment in the Permanent Force, was advanced to Captain in December 1951, the same year in which he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal. However, owing to him having little chance of further promotion under the Nationalist Party Government, he decided to resign his commission in August 1955; sold with a file of copied attestation and service papers, and career reports.