Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War 1943 ‘Sicily Landings’ M.M. group of five awarded to Warrant Officer Class I M. Rodger, 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, who was originally recommended for the D.C.M. for his gallantry on the beaches of Sicily during the early hours of 10 July 1943.

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3124671 W.O. Cl. 2. M. Rodger. R. S. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (3124671 W.O. Cl. 2. M. Rodger. R. S. Fus.) generally very fine or better (5) £1,200-£1,600

M.M. London Gazette 23 March 1944:

‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Sicily.’

The original recommendation (for a D.C.M.) states:

‘The Unit Landing Officer was wounded on landing at 0400hrs 10th July. This W.O., was his assistant, carried on with his work in a very cool and unperturbed manner. The work was complicated in that the Bn had two Assembly Areas on account of the advance leading off the right hand corner of the beach. This W.O. ran everything in a calm and orderly way, during the bombing of the beach and never failed to send vehs. and men up to his Bn as soon as they were ready to leave the Beach Area.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 4 April 1946 (North West Europe).

Michael Rodger served during the Second War with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers as part of the 17th Infantry Brigade, 5th Infantry Division, XIII Corps for the Sicily Landings, 9/10th July 1943. Rodger’s Battalion landed on beaches in the Gulf of Noto around Avola, south-east Sicily during the early hours of 10 July 1943, as part of the opening stage of Operation Husky - the Allied invasion of Sicily. He subsequently advanced to Warrant Officer Class I.