Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War immediate ‘Salerno landing operations’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant R. S. Munro, The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons), for his gallantry when his tank destroyed 2 enemy tanks, 2 anti-tank guns, an armoured car and a half-track vehicle, 16 September 1943

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (409345 Sjt. R. S. Munro. The Greys.) unit officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, copy clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally very fine (7) £1,800-£2,200

M.M. London Gazette 13 January 1944:

‘During the counter attack on Sept. 16th ‘43 in the St. Lucia Tusciano area Sgt. Munro was commander of the leading tank in his troop. The troop was working in extremely difficult country in which a number of A/Tk guns were concealed. Sgt. Munro acting with considerable skill, initiative and courage succeeded with his tank in knocking out 2 MK IV tanks, one 75 mm. A/Tk gun, one 50 mm A/Tk gun, one armoured car and a half track vehicle. He also destroyed a number of enemy infantry.

It was largely due to Sgt. Munro’s cool action that his Squadron were able to restore a difficult situation. This N.C.O.’s conduct under difficult and dangerous circumstances is deserving of the highest praise.’


Robert Simpson Munro served during the Second War with The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons), and in particular during the Salerno landing operations of September 1943. The Regiment served as part of the 23rd Armoured Brigade, and on 16 September helped to stop and drive back the 26th Panzer Division - thus enabling X Corps to advance off the beachhead. The regimental history gives further details about Munro’s gallant actions during the operation:

‘Nothing happened all day on the fifteenth until eight o’clock in the evening, when a report was received that German half-tracks had over-run our infantry just south of the bridge at Fosso. “B” Squadron was in the process of taking over this sector from Lieutenant Hall’s troop of “C” Squadron. They soon got into position, and calm was restored until half-past seven on the following morning, when a further attack by tanks and infantry was reported in this area. By now “A” Squadron was in the area of D’amore, “C” Squadron was in reserve and the squadron of 44th Reconnaissance Regiment was in the centre, north of St. Lucia. The latter was forced to withdraw; R.H.Q. moved to St. Lucia and “C” Squadron was ordered to carry out a sweep from the cross-roads just south of Fosso to the cross-roads a thousand yards north of St. Lucia in order to cut across the flank of the enemy attacking south-west from Battipaglia. Orders were issued at nine o’clock and zero hour was at eleven.

Lieutenant Parker’s troop led, and after about half a mile Sergeant Munro got his first Mark IV Special at a range of eight hundred yards before the Germans realised that anything was happening; this was soon followed by another at a thousand yards, a great feat by his gunner, Trooper McKenzie. After that events moved quickly. At almost point-blank range Sergeant Munro destroyed a half-track towing an anti-tank gun and two more anti-tank guns, after which he himself came under fire from an 88-millimetre gun to his left. All the tanks were firing away with their machine-guns almost incessantly, and it was not until the following day, when about two hundred enemy dead were found in this area, that the squadron realised how effective their fire had been.

Lieutenant Parker’s troop was now held up by 88-millimetre fire, and Lord Roborough sent Lieutenant Howard’s troop farther round to the left. Unfortunately he misunderstood his orders and went almost up to Battipaglia, where two of the three tanks of the troop were knocked out. He and the crews of both tanks were killed, except Lance-Corporal Scott and Trooper Slade, who were captured. They later escaped and rejoined the Regiment at Maiori. Their interrogators appeared to be surprisingly well informed regarding the Regiment, but in some doubt as the proper pronunciation of its Commanding Officer’s name. As this had always been a matter of conjecture in the Regiment, the prisoners felt themselves unable to give any guidance!

Sergeant R. Munro was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry and skill in this action. The sweep by “C” Squadron forced the enemy to withdraw and completely restored the situation in this area, as well as raising everybody’s morale. It proved that a counter-attack, properly organised and controlled, was the best answer to the enemy’s attempts to drive us back to the beaches.’