Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Capt. R. C. T. Sivewright. M.C. 11H.) minor edge bruise, good very fine £300-£400

C.B. (Civil) London Gazette 31 December 1982: Colonel Robert Charles Townsend Sivewright, M.C., D.L., Vice-Chairman, Council of Territorial Auxiliary and Volunteer Reserve Associations.’

M.C. London Gazette 23 August 1945:
In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe.’

The original citation states: ‘On 21 April 1945 Lieutenant Sivewright was in command of a Troop of armoured cars which was ordered to reconnoitre to Apensen and Harsfeld. No tank or artillery support was available and the enemy infantry and bazooka parties were extremely active. On nearing Apensen the Troop met a road block covered by infantry with bazookas. Lieutenant Sivewright immediately engaged this party with all weapons. So effective was his fire that three were killed and five wounded. The road block was cleared and Lieutenant Sivewright moved on to Apensen where there were about 50 infantry in the village Enemy snipers were very active but by maintaining the initiative and taking offensive action all the time Lieutenant Sivewright succeeded in clearing the village and taking 30 Prisoners of War. This was a very fine action by a Troop of armoured cars unsupported by any other arms and was entirely due to the courage and initiative displayed by Lieutenant Sivewright.’

Robert Charles Townsend Sivewright was born in 1923 and was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 11th Hussars (Prince Albert’s Own) on 30 January 1943. He served with them during the Second World War, and was awarded the Military Cross, before seeing further service in post-War Malaya. Advanced Lieutenant-Colonel, Regular Army Reserve of Officers, on 8 April 1964, he served as High Sheriff of Gloucestershire in 1977, and was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 1983 New Year’s Honours’ List. He died in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, in 1994.

Sold with copied research including a photographic image of the recipient.