Auction Catalogue

3 December 2020

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 28

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3 December 2020

Hammer Price:
£1,300

A Second War ‘Anzio Beachhead’ M.B.E., ‘Salerno’ M.C. group of eight attributed to Lieutenant-Colonel G. R. Shire, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army Emergency Reserve Decoration, E.II.R., reverse officially dated 1954, with Second Award Bar, this undated, and with integral top riband bar, mounted court-style, extremely fine (8) £800-£1,200

M.B.E. London Gazette 21 December 1944.
The original Recommendation (originally for a Second Award Bar to his M.C.) states: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the Anzio beachhead between 22 January 1944 and 12 March 1944. Major Shire commands 102 Army Field Company, Royal Engineers, and has also acted as Second-in-Command of the Beach Group throughout the operation. He was entrusted with the responsibility of leading the Assault Brigade and himself accompanied one of the leading flights. The assault was landed on a beach some hundreds of yards to the south of that on which plans had been based and in the darkness all that was known was that the force was on the wrong beach. Without hesitation, and in spite of the presence of an extensive minefield, he made an immediate reconnaissance inland and through the information he acquired a decision was made without delay to develop this beach, and many hours were saved in landing the force.
Since that day Major Shire has shown an outstanding example to all by his complete disregard of personal safety and on frequent occasions his example has inspired the men to carry on work on the beaches in spite of air raids and shell fire. It is through the example of officers such as he that on many occasions the Beach Group has passed over the beaches a tonnage over three times its normal capabilities and has maintained an average tonnage far beyond normal in spite of appalling weather and enemy interference.’

M.C.
London Gazette 28 August 1944.
The original Recommendation states: ‘On 9 September 1943 Major Shire was in charge of a party of men engaged in clearing obstacles and improving the exit from the beach at Spineta near Salerno. An enemy post was still holding out on the back of the beach and the work had to be done under fire. Regardless of his own safety Major Shire continued at his work and as a result of his actions the landing of tanks and vehicles from the landing craft was greatly accelerated.
Again at a critical stage of the operation the company commanded by Major Shire was put into the fighting line on the night of 13 September 1943 and inspired by his fearlessness and leadership contributed to the repulse of the enemy attack made that night.’

Army Emergency Reserve Decoration
London Gazette 4 June 1954.

Army Emergency Reserve Decoration Second Award Bar
London Gazette 4 June 1954.

Extensive research suggests that the only recipient of this combination of awards was Lieutenant-Colonel
Geoffrey Richard Shire, Royal Engineers, who was commissioned Lieutenant on 19 July 1936; was advanced temporary Major on 30 August 1940, and served during the Second World War at Monte Cassino, Anzio, Salerno, and San Marino.