Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War 1943 ‘Battle of Sidi Nsir’ M.M. group of five awarded to Gunner R. Kennard, ‘F’ Troop, 155th Battery, 172nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, who was originally recommended for the D.C.M. in recognition of his gallantry, 26 February 1943, when his Troop ‘was in action against the enemy from first light until dark. His gun was attacked four or five times by enemy tanks and eventually hit and the whole detachment [with the exception of Kennard] killed.’ The Troop managed to knock out at least 3 German tanks during the battle, and also came under attack from enemy aircraft

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1148042 Gnr. R. Kennard, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Buckingham Palace enclosure for M.M., and Second War campaign medal card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr R. Kennard, 199 Southend Lane, Catford, London SE6’, traces of verdigris, otherwise generally good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400

M.M London Gazette 22 April 1943, the recommendation (originally for a D.C.M.) states:

‘He was on No. 1 gun ‘F’ Troop, 155 Bty at Sidi Nsir on 26th Feb. 1943. Gnr Kennard was in action against the enemy from first light until dark. His gun was attacked four or five times by enemy tanks and eventually hit and the whole detachment killed.

Gnr Kennard had been ordered to the rocks above to observe the movement of enemy tanks which were attacking from hull-down positions and escaped injury.

His courage and devotion to duty were remarkable.

Lt. Col. Lewisham and Sgt. Meaden of ‘D’ Coy 5. Hamps testified to his cheery and courageous observation from the rocks above No. 1 gun under heavy fire.’

R. Kennard served during the Second War with ‘F’ Troop, 155th Battery, 172nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. His M.M. was awarded for the Battle of Sidi Nsir, Tunisia, 26 February 1943. On the latter date Kennard’s troop was positioned with the 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, 12 miles in advance of the Allied positions protecting the routes to Beja. The men of the R.A. and the Hampshires held a cluster of rocky outcrops at Sidi Nsir, with a view to delaying the advancing Germans and thus enable reinforcements to reach the other Allied defensive positions.

The British forces came under attack from the air, a column of tanks, and heavy shelling. ‘F’ Troop managed to knock out at least three tanks before it was wiped out - with the exception of Kennard, who was saved by his employment on spotting duties. The remaining men of the 5th Battalion were eventually forced to withdraw, but not before that had gained valuable time for the remaining positions.