Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second World War Madagascar operations O.B.E. group of six awarded to Colonel G. F. Houghton, Royal Signals

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge; India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1930-31 (Lieut. G. F. Houghton, R. Signals); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, generally very fine (6) £400-500

O.B.E. London Gazette 8 July 1943:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in East Africa and Madagascar.’

The original recommendation states:

‘With very very reduced signals due to limited accommodation in shipping, this officer worked wonders. He drew up the entire signal plan, got it working and by his own efforts kept it going, by personal visits to stations which brought him his full ration of shelling and sniping. At daylight on D-3, in a determined effort to get into Antsirane in time to prevent sabotage of the W./T. Station, he drove his truck past a French 75mm. which was doing its best over open sights to upset him. It was due entirely to this officer that the shelling was stopped in time to allow the armistice discussions to be concluded.

This tireless, able and fearless officer had no sleep between 0300 on D-1 and 0200 on D-4. in spite of this, he continued with drive and energy to open up a skeleton telephone system which was in operation by 0200 on D-4. A remarkable achievement.’

Gorghes Frederick Palmer, who was from Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, was on attachment to 121 Force at the time of the above cited deeds in Diego Suarez, Madagascar in May 1942.

Born in August 1907, Palmer was commissioned in the Royal Signals as a 2nd Lieutenant in September 1927 and advanced to Captain in September 1930, in which year he witnessed active service on the North-West Frontier (Medal & clasp). An Acting Major by the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939, he was awarded the O.B.E. in respect of the above cited deeds, but saw no further action and ended the War in the rank of war substantive Lieutenant-Colonel. Post-war he was advanced to Colonel in January 1955 and served as Chief Signals Officer, Land Forces, Hong Kong from April of the latter year. He was placed on the Retired List in December 1959.