Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine ‘Western Desert’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant Aldwin Christmas, 11th Hussars

Military Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (7922657 A.Sjt. A. H. Christmas, 11-H); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, together with Buckingham Palace letter and two original photographs, one of the recipient in his Armoured Car in Tunisia 1943, nearly extremely fine (7) £1000-1200

M.M. London Gazette 4 February 1943.

The following details are taken from the official recommendation: ‘On the afternoon of Nov. 10th 1942, Sgt. Christmas was Troop Sergeant of a Troop of Armoured Cars observing the line of the Wire south of SIDI OMAR. At about 1600 hrs. a column of enemy headed by 8 tanks approached the position and 4 large tanks attacked the Troop and forced them to withdraw south. The 3rd Armoured Car was hit and put out of action. Sgt. Christmas immediately turned round and despite heavy gunfire rescued the crew. Had it not been for Sgt. Christmas’s prompt action without regard to his own safety the crew would undoubtedly have been taken prisoner.’

Aldwin Harry Christmas was born in Kent in 1907 and joined the 11th Hussars in 1925 on a 7 year engagement. During this time he was Goalkeeper for the regimental football team (Post Card photograph of the team accompanies the group) and played four times for Aldershot Command. Some amusing cartoons featuring his goalkeeping antics appeared in the 11th Hussar Journal for 1930. Promoted to Corporal, he was discharged in 1932, became a bricklayer, married and had one son. He rejoined the regiment in Egypt when called up in 1940 and fought with the 11th Hussars in all their battles in the Western Desert. On 7 February 1943 he spoke personally with the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, when he inspected men of the 11th Hussars who were the first troops into Tripoli. Christmas subsequently served with the regiment through Italy, France, and Germany and was finally discharged in 1946. He died at Dartford, Kent, on 24 August 1977.