Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A post-war M.B.E. group of five awarded to Captain T. J. Burtenshaw, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, attached Airborne Forces, late Queen’s Bays, 12th Lancers and Reconnaissance Regiment (R.A.C.)

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Canal Zone (Capt. T. J. Burtenshaw, R.A.O.C.); Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (401658 W.O. Cl. 2 T. J. Burtenshaw, Reece. R.), this last with official correction to unit, generally good very fine (5) £400-500

M.B.E. London Gazette 31 December 1960. The original recommendation states:

‘Captain Burtenshaw enlisted in the Regular Army in 1927 as a Trooper in the Queen’s Bays and served in that regiment and the 12th Royal Lancers until 1939, when he transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps (R.A.C.).

He remained with the R.A.C. until 1946, during which time he attained the rank of R.S.M. and was awarded a Certificate of Gallantry.

In 1945-46 he served as R.S.M. with the 6th Airborne Division Reconnaissance Regiment. When he was commissioned in 1946, he transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps (R.A.O.C.), and thereafter served with Airborne Forces until he retired in 1956. He immediately joined 16th Airborne Division (T.A.), as R.A.O.C. Officer, and was given command of 44 Independent Parachute Brigade O.F.P. (T.A.), with which unit he has remained until the present date.

During his active service with the O.F.P., with no other officer to assist him except in the last five months, he has raised the volunteer strength of the unit from 40 to over 100 per cent of the establishment. He attends every drill night and every training weekend. At 51 years of age, he remains an active parachutist. Through his boundless enthusiasm and by an entire disregard for his own personal responsibilities, he has created a first class unit of which he is justifiably proud.

Captain Burtenshaw had given 33 years of service to the Regular and Territorial Armies, the last 15 of which have been spent with Airborne Forces. Undoubtedly he is one of the most experienced R.A.O.C. Airborne Officers in either the Regular or Territorial Forces. Furthermore, he has set an example of service and devotion to duty that may be equalled but not surpassed. He is now in the last year of his service.

It would be difficult to find an officer more deserving of this award, for which he is very strongly recommended.’

Thomas Joseph Burtenshaw, who was recommended for his M.B.E. by Brigadier J. D. Frost, D.S.O., M.C., of Arnhem fame, was removed from the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers in the rank of Captain in May 1964, on attaining the age limit.