Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘D- Day and North West Europe’ M.B.E. group of eight awarded to Major C. D. H. Todd, Royal Berkshire Regiment

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. Oak Leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Major. C. D. H. Todd. M.B.E. T.D. R. Berks.); Coronation 1937; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, reverse dated ‘1943’. with integral top riband bar, mounted for wear, generally very fine or better (8) £600-800

M.B.E. London Gazette 11 October 1945:

‘This Officer has shown outstanding and ceaseless devotion to duty while serving with the T.A. for many years before the War and in the war years with great zeal and energy, both training and in Battle.

He took part in the actual initial landings on “D” Day and subsequent pursuit of the enemy until the present time, involving him in some eight months continuous fighting, much of it of fiercest nature. On more than one occasion, due to casualties, Command of a Field Force Bn. devolved on this Officer, who conducted the activities of the battle with very considerable skill until replacement could be made. His cheerful and untiring character and ceaseless devotion to duty undoubtedly contributed to the success of operations on many occasions. Recently this Officer has been employed as 2IC of a new and green Bn at Dunkirk, when, largely due to his unsparing efforts the training and fighting capacity of the Bn was shown to have reached such a high standard of efficiency that the Bn acquitted itself with distinction.’

E.D. London Gazette 19 August 1943.

Cuthbert Donovan Hewitt Todd was a native of North Holmwood, Surrey, and served with the Royal Berkshire Regiment (Territorial Army) prior to the Second War. At the outbreak of the war he was serving with the 8th Home Defence Battalion, which was later re-designated the 30th Battalion. Todd served as Captain with the latter throughout North West Europe, including as part of the “D” Day landings. Returning to his parent regiment, he served in Malaya after the war and then transferred as Captain and Honorary Major to the Regular Army Reserve of Officers in May 1955. He retired Honorary Major, 20 May 1957.

M.I.D. unconfirmed.