Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce inter-War ‘Palestine 1936’ M.C. group of eight awarded to Captain J. L. Gardner-Brown, Royal Horse Artillery

Military Cross, G.V.R.; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine, Palestine 1945-48 (Capt. J. L. Gardner-Brown. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, generally very fine (8) £1,400-£1,800

M.C. London Gazette 6 November 1936:
‘For gallant and distinguished services rendered in connection with the emergency operations in Palestine during the period 15 April to 14 September 1936.’

‘The first detachment [in action], later known as the Suicide Patrol, consisted of men from the Rocket Troop and B Battery, RHA, Cairo, under Lt. Gardner-Brown, RHA, and arrived at Sarafand in May. Their work was railway patrolling, and they had far more fighting in the seven weeks that they were there than anyone else in the country. For example, during June, they patrolled the Lydda-Tulkarm line by night, and had a battle on 17 nights out of 22. They did splendid work and put up a first class show and were extremely lucky in having only two casualties, Gardiner-Brown hit in the foot, and a gunner shot through the leg. Lieut. Gardiner-Brown has now been awarded the Military Cross.’ (Palestine 1936, The Journal of the Royal Artillery, vol. LXIV, no. 1 (April 1937), p. 76 refers)