Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second World War Burma operations D.S.O. group of eleven awarded to Brigadier A. A. Crook, Northamptonshire Regiment, late Royal Artillery, who was decorated for his gallant command of 6th (West African) Infantry Brigade during the crossing of the Kaladan River in December 1944: he had earlier served with distinction as C.O. of the 5th Northamptons in North Africa and would add the Greek Military Cross to his accolades before becoming a Military Knight of Windsor

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., 1st issue, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of the suspension bar officially dated ‘1945’, with its Garrard & Co. case of issue; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (2 Lieut. A. A. Crook); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Jubilee 1977; Greece, War Cross 1940-45, 1st class, with gilt crown; Greece, War Cross, 2nd Class, with bronze crown, mounted court-style as worn, the Great War pair polished, thus fine, the remainder generally good very fine (11) £2500-3000

D.S.O. London Gazette 22 March 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘During the operations from 10-22 December 1944, to cross the Kaladan River and then eject the enemy from the strong Thayettabin-Kyauktaw defence position, this officer showed outstanding determination, energy and leadership.

Speed was essential to forestall an opposed crossing, which was a certainty as soon as the crossing place was discovered. Brigadier Crook reached Orama village, where the crossing was to be effected with his troops on 4 December 1944. That afternoon a strong party of the enemy probed his starting base and occupied a position covering the beach. Such an event would have daunted many commanders, and caused hesitation and delay. Realising however the vital necessity of crossing quickly, Brigadier Crook counter-attacked and threw back the enemy elements, capturing valuable documents in the process. Next, although a determined reconnaissance of the opposite bank had not been practicable, he decided to cross by night. He was down on the beaches himself all through the night and successfully saw the first flights over. These flights effected a landing and found the enemy at dawn a few hundred yards inland, thus proving that any lack of speed or hesitancy would have been fatal and resulted in many casualties.

Brigadier Crook next led his brigade over very difficult and trackless hills known as the Sendaung-Yo and down to the Yo-Chaung valley east of those hills. As his brigade started to advance down the Yo-Chaung enemy opposition started immediately. At all times up near the leading troops, Brigadier Crook so stimulated and encouraged the impetus of the advance that though the enemy occupied no fewer than six successive positions in seven miles, the enemy was able to make a firm stand nowhere, nor delay the advance to any appreciable extent.

The final phase of this very rapid advance necessitated passing through exceptionally difficult country to seize Point 887. Again hesitation or delay would have been fatal. Brigadier Crook’s bold advance secured the area with a few hours to spare. The Japanese arrived in force the next morning and sustained substantial casualties throughout the operations.

Brigadier Crook showed and inspired the finest qualities of determination, energy and leadership. These operations would certainly have gone more slowly and proved much more costly in casualties had it not been for the fine leadership and determination displayed by Brigadier Crook.’

Arthur Ainslie “Crookie” Crook was born in 1899 and was educated at Eastbourne College, where he captained the 1st XV, shooting VIII and Boxing Team, and at the R.M.A. Woolwich, where he gained his Boxing Colours. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in September 1918, he witnessed active service out in France in the closing stages of the Great War and was subsequently employed by the Army of Occupation on the Rhine.

Having then served out in Ireland 1920-22, where he was advanced to Lieutenant, Crook became a gunnery instructor back in Woolwich, and, military duties aside, captained the London Scottish Rugby Football Club and 1st XV 1924-25. In the following year, however, he was seconded for duty with the King’s African Rifles in Tanganyika, in which capacity he remained employed until late 1930, latterly as 2nd-in-Command of the 2nd Battalion. And, no doubt, as a result of this lengthy spell as an infantry officer, he next transferred to the Northamptonshire Regiment, with whom he served in India and the U.K. - in both the 1st and 2nd Battalions - in 1931-39, gaining advancement to Major.

1939-45: Malaya, North Africa and Burma - D.S.O.

Seconded for service with the Straits Settlements Volunteer Force about the time of the outbreak of hostilities, he served out in Malaya until 1942, firstly as Staff Officer to Local Forces and latterly as Brigade Major to the S.S.V.F. In May of the latter year, and having been advanced to Lieutenant-Colonel, Crook returned home and took command of the 5th Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment, in which capacity he served in North Africa from the “Torch” landings until May 1943, a period of considerable action and heavy losses - as stated by one correspondent in The Times on Crook’s death in 1981, his ‘Battalion was among the spearhead of the sparse force that came so close to capturing Tunis in December 1942. He was a soldier’s soldier and had the admiration of all who served under him.’ He was mentioned in despatches.

Between December 1943 and August 1944, he was C.O. of the 2nd Battalion, Nigeria Regiment, R.W.A.F.F., in West Africa and India, following which he was given command of the 6th (West African) Infantry Brigade in Burma, in which capacity he was present in operations in the Arakan and Kaladan Valley in 1944-45, and, as cited above, awarded the D.S.O.

Having then served at H.Q. Southern Command, Bangalore in 1946, he witnessed further active service as a member of the British Military Mission in Greece 1947-49, where he served as a Military Adviser to ‘A’ (Greek) Army Corps in the Field in operations against communist agitators and terrorists - and was awarded the Greek Military Cross, Class A and B. Brief service as Commander Cyprus District having followed in 1949-50, Crook next served as British Military Attache to Siam 1951-52, and was placed on the Retired List as a Brigadier in January 1953. Appointed a Military Knight of Windsor in August 1963, he died in February 1981.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Buckingham Palace investiture letter and ticket, the latter dated 16 October 1945, and War Officer M.I.D. forwarding letter, dated 23 September 1943; three typed references, including one from Lieutenant-General A. P. F. Christison, dated 2 July 1946; assorted ‘A’ Greek Army Corps documentation, 1947-49, including statements of service and recommendation for his Greek Military Cross; two letters in respect of his appointment as a Military Knight of Windsor in 1963; certificate for his Jubilee Medal 1977, and a copy of the Order of Service for his funeral at St. George’s Chapel, Windsor.

Also sold with a silver-tipped briefing stick, as presented to the recipient by Lieutenant-General Tsakalotos, the Greek Army Commander of ‘A’ Corps, in 1948, together with a named Bisley Medal and assorted badges and buttons.