Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Second War 1945 ‘Advance through Italy’ M.B.E., M.C. group of eight attributed to Major D. H. Graham, South Staffordshire Regiment, who served as Brigade Staff Captain and Brigade Major in both North Africa and Italy - despite his craft being hit during the Salerno landings, 9 September 1943, he took part in the advance up through Italy, culminating in the attack on the Gothic Line

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1945; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48, naming erased; together with the related miniature awards, the War Medal additionally with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn and housed in a Spink, London, case, nearly extremely fine (8) £700-900

M.B.E. London Gazette 28 June 1945:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The Recommendation states: ‘Major Graham has been Brigade Major of 2 Infantry Brigade since 6 September 1944, during which period the Brigade has been almost continually employed on active operations, firstly on the advance from Florence, and latterly in the Mt Grande sector, where the difficult mountainous country made it vital for the success of operations, and the comfort of the troops, that staff work should be of the highest order.
Major Graham’s work throughout has been untiring - his clear and concise orders have had a great bearing on the success achieved by the Brigade and his cheerful personality and sympathetic understanding under the most adverse conditions has greatly helped units in the difficult tasks.
Major Graham has always been the first to go forward to visit the troops in the front line to discover first hand the difficulties confronting them, on many occasion under heavy fire which has never deterred him. His understanding of the problems and the cheerful way in which he has tackled them, always with the welfare of the troops foremost in his mind, has been of the highest order and beyond praise.’

M.C. London Gazette 17 April 1945.

The Recommendation states: ‘For outstanding and sustained personal coolness, leadership, and powers of organisation in action in North Africa (24 April - 12 May 1943), and in Italy throughout the period September 1943 to March 1944. Out of two years and eight months as a Brigade Staff Captain, and six months as a Brigade Major, Major Graham proved through eight months of intensive action to be a tireless source of inspiration to all who came in contact with him.
At Enfidaville it was his arrangements, made under fire, which ensured delivery of supplies to forward troops, and at the Salerno landings on 9 September, where his craft was hit, the “Q” arrangements worked smoothly due to his personal disregard of danger. Under constant shellfire at Mt Stella on 26 September he organised and controlled the coloured porters. On 16 October at Pignataro, heavy enemy gunfire caused Brigade Headquarters to withdraw two miles: despite casualties, it was by his personality that so many men, vehicles, and stores were got safely away. On 20 October at the River Lanzi, Major Graham organised the first successful jeep tractor detour, and maintained it for a week, having first led the reconnaissances for this into “No Man’s Land”. Later on the River Savone he saw through a similar operation of organising a four day jeep track, and was quite undeterred by snipers during the preliminary reconnoitring.
As Staff Captain he controlled the supply system in the difficult Mt Camino Battle (1 - 3 December), and as Brigade Major at the crossing of the River Garigliano (17 - 18 January 1944) the success of planning and execution was largely due to his personality under severe conditions. Finally, after the Damino Battle (10 - 12 February) his coolheadedness under fire as Brigade Major in Anzio (17 February - 12 March) contributed greatly to the successes of his Brigade.
The inspiring example of this Officer in action cannot be spoken of too highly. While his Brigade was in Egypt during the recent period of refitting, Major Graham was forced to relinquish his appointment as Brigade major through sickness and was left behind. Such was his enthusiasm and initiative that he managed to rejoin and attach himself to his old Brigade Headquarters, who were by then preparing for the attack on the Gothic Line. Before he was posted in August 1944 to another staff appointment, he was able to give valuable aid in the planning for the forthcoming attack. His influence throughout the Brigade will be felt for a very long time to come.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 6 April 1944.

M.I.D. London Gazette 24 August 1944.

David Henry Graham was born in Leicester on 24 September 1914, the son of Major C. J. Graham, D.S.O., M.C., and his wife Winifred, and was educated at Wellington College and Oxford University. He enlisted shortly after the outbreak of the Second World War on 15 December 1939, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the South Staffordshire Regiment on 29 June 1940. He served with the South Staffs, and as a Brigade Staff Captain and Brigade Major, in North Africa and Italy. He relinquished his commission on 7 March 1946.

Sold together with the Bestowal Document for the M.B.E., dated 28 June 1945, with Central Chancery enclosure; two Mentioned in Despatches Certificates, dated 6 April 1944 and 24 August 1944; the recipient’s Officer’s Release Book; Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; and Territorial Army Attestation Certificate; various letters regarding the recipient’s call-up and release; and two photographic images.

For the medals awarded to the recipient’s father and brother, see Lots 13 and 969.