Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

A scarce North West Frontier M.M. group of ten awarded to Captain W. Vincent, Royal Pioneer Corps, late Gardner’s Horse and Royal Tank Corps

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7877605 Sjt., R. Tank R.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1937-39 (7877605 Sjt., R. Tank C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence & War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (Capt., M.M. R.P.C.); Regular Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (Lieut., M.M. R. Tanks) court mounted as worn, good very fine (10) £2000-2500

See Colour Plate V

M.M. London Gazette 17 October 1939: ‘For distinguished services rendered in the field in connection with the operations in Waziristan, during the period 16th December, 1937, to 31st December, 1938.’ The only Military Medal announced in this gazette and the first such award to the newly formed Royal Tank Regiment. Thirty-one M.M.’s were awarded for the North West Frontier operations of 1936-39.

William Vincent enlisted into the Royal Tank Corps in 1925, and served in the 11th Armoured Car Company in India from 1927-32. He then served in the U.K. until returning to India in 1937, in the same company, now titled the 11th Light Tank Company. He was stationed on the North West Frontier, where he won his M.M. as a Sergeant, the M.M. to be awarded to the Tanks between the two World Wars.

Granted an Emergency Commission in the Royal Tank Regiment in June 1940, Vincent volunteered for attachment to the Indian Army in May 1941 and was posted to the 2nd Royal Lancers (Gardner’s Horse). He served with them in North Africa as part of the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade, in the 31st Indian Armoured Brigade. As Signal Officer attached to “B” Squadron, Vincent accompanied his new regiment from Bombay to Suez, where they arrived on 8 September 1941. The remainder of the year and the early part of 1942 was spent in Egypt and Syria, equipping and training the regiment for desert warfare. In May 1942 the regiment moved up to the Western Desert, Vincent now in command of the Signal Troop, R.H.Q., where they formed a defensive box about two miles south-east of Bir Hacheim. An attack by Rommel round the south of Bir Hacheim was expected shortly.

In the early hours of the 27th May a large concentration of vehicles, with many tanks, was reported to be advancing on their position. By 9 a.m., after fierce fighting, it became clear that their positions had been completely overrun and enemy tanks and armoured cars were now advancing on R.H.Q. slowly. Orders were received from Brigade H.Q. to evacuate the position and rendezvous at a point four miles to the north, and at 0910 hours R.H.Q. was evacuated.

‘The signal Officer, Lieut. W. Vincent, M.M., was slow in getting away and was captured. He was wounded in the shoulder before being taken prisoner. This Officer throughout the whole action had refused to take cover. In order to keep in continuous communication with Brigade H.Q. he had remained by his wireless truck, which was twice hit by shrapnel.’

The Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, referring to the action in his speech in the House of Commons, said: “The full brunt of the enemy’s actual advance to the east of Bir Hacheim was taken by the 3rd Indian Motor Brigade group, which was overborne by sheer weight of metal, but not until after it had inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and seriously impeded his advance.” It was later estimated that at least 50 enemy tanks had been knocked out - of these the Regiment may lay fair claim to at least 15 if not more.

Vincent was a prisoner of war at Campo Settore in Italy and later at Braunschweig in Germany, until repatriated on 12 April 1945. He remained with the Royal Tank Regiment until transferring to the Royal Pioneer Corps in September 1951. He served with them in Malaya and finally relinquished his commission in February 1953.