Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Crowned Head’ Palestine M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Corporal A. Miller, Seaforth Highlanders, who was wounded at Dunkirk in 1940 and subsequently served as a Sergeant in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry


Military Medal, G.V.R., 2nd ‘crowned head’ issue (2819056 L. Cpl. A. Miller. 1-Seaforth.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (2819056 Pte. A. Miller. Seaforth.) edge bruise; 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, last three privately impressed ‘2819056 L. Cpl. A. Miller. Seaforths.’, mounted for wear, generally good very fine (5) £4,600-£5,000

Provenance: J. Loffet Collection, Spink, November 2005; Dix Noonan Webb, September 2012.

M.M. London Gazette 6 November 1936:
‘For gallant and distinguished services rendered in connection with the emergency operations in Palestine during the period 15th April to 14th September, 1936.’

The original recommendation states:
‘On 26 June 1936 this N.C.O. was leading his section in an action near Yatma, Palestine. His section came under fire from an olive grove. He immediately led his section forward to close with the enemy and cleared the grove, killing two arabs himself. This N.C.O. displayed great boldness and decision on this occasion, and has proved himself on many occasions a bold and enterprising leader.’

Alexander Miller was born in Stirling, Scotland, in November 1910, and enlisted in the Seaforth Highlanders on 29 July 1932. He served in Palestine and Egypt from December 1933 to December 1936, when he went to China. Returning home in February 1939 having transferred to the Reserve, he rejoined the Colours on 2 September 1939 and went to France on 18 October 1939. His battalion was virtually wiped out at Dunkirk and Miller himself was wounded there on 10 January 1940. On leave recuperating from his wounds until May 1940, he then transferred to the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, with whom he served as a Sergeant at Home for the remainder of the war. He was discharged having reached the age of 45 years on 7 October 1955.

Sergeant Miller died at Erdington, Birmingham, in July 1973.

Sold with two original photographs and his original Certificate of Service which notes: ‘Military Medal, Palestine 15-4-36. Awarded scroll for devotion to duty during the disturbances in Palestine 1936. Certificate dated 1/11/36 under the authy. of Comdr. Br. Forces in Palestine & Transjordan.’

Sold with extensive copied research.