Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Brigadier R. A. Hermon, 1st Royal Dragoons

1st Royal Dragoons (2), obv. regimental motif, rev. wreath and engraved, ‘Dummy Thrusting, Officers 1937, 1st, Capt. R. A. Hermon’, 51mm., silver, in Phillips, Aldeshot case; another similar, rev. engraved, ‘All Arms Officers 1937. 2nd, Capt. R. A. Hermon’, 39mm., silver; Royal Tournament Medal, obv. Britannia seated with a lion, rev. wreath and engraved, ‘1938 Dummy Thrusting, Officers 2nd Prize, Capt. R. A. Hermon, The Royals’, 38mm., silver, in Mappin & Webb case, all unmounted, nearly extremely fine (3) £80-100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Military Sports and Shooting Medals from the James N. Spencer Collection.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 22 April 1943. Recommendation reads, ‘During the operations at Mersa Brega-Agheila, and during the advance on Tripoli, Lt.-Col. Herman (sic) commanded his Regiment with conspicuous skill. By his own personal valour and example in the face of the enemy he was the inspiration to all his men, and his regiment was able to overcome difficult situations quickly and thus to influence the general situation in a marked degree. Throughout these operations, and during the whole Battle of Egypt, Lt.-Col. Herman has rendered distinguished service.’

O.B.E. London Gazette 13 December 1945. Recommendation reads, ‘Colonel Herman (sic) has been 2i/c this Bde since May 44, and his work during this period has been quite invaluable. He was responsible for the training of the Armd. Regts. in an Inf. role for the entry into Greece, and the high standard reached in the very short time available, and later proved during the disturbances, was due primarily to his personal efforts. He commanded the Bde. throughout the fighting in Athens, with a depleted and inexperienced Staff, and it was owing to his personal example, drive, coolness and very capable handling of the most difficult situations that the vital centre of the town was held intact against serious odds. Before and since the disturbances Colonel Herman has carried out many valuable and difficult recces and missions with outstanding success and tact.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 December 1941.

Robert Arthur Hermon was born in 1906 and entered the Royal Dragoons as a 2nd Lieutenant on 30 August 1926. Promoted Lieutenant in 1929 and Captain in 1934, he served in Palestine 1936-39 (Medal and clasp). With the outbreak of war he was appointed to the rank of Acting Major during December 1939-March 1940 and Temporary Major during March 1940-October 1942. He waspromoted War Substansive Major on 8 October 1942 and Major on 30 August 1943. He was promoted War Substansive Lieutenant-Colonel on 18 November 1944 after previously hoding the acting and temporary rank and was appointed Acting Colonel in May 1944, Temporary Colonel in November 1944 and acting Brigadier in April 1945. For his wartime services he was awarded the D.S.O. and O.B.E. and was mentioned in despatches. 1st medal illustrated.