Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Italy’ M.B.E. group of ten awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel T. H. Emmett, Royal Signals, later Royal Army Ordnance Corps, who was Mentioned in Despatches for Korea

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Major. T. H. Emmett. M.B.E. R.A.O.C.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Militia, with Second Award Bar (2322966 W.O. Cl.2 T. H. Emmett. R. Signals.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, these similarly mounted as worn; and the recipient’s Royal Tournament Prize medal, bronze, the reverse engraved ‘1st Prize Tug of War 130 Stone Major T. Emmett. M.B.E. 9 Bn. R.A.O.C. 1948’, all housed in a fitted case, generally good very fine (10) £700-£900

M.B.E. London Gazette 13 December 1945:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘In his capacity of Staff Officer Stores to C.S.O. Lines of Communication, Captain Emmett has been responsible for the siting and stocking of forward dumps and for arrangements for delivery of stores as required by units employed on the construction and installation of the main telecommunication system. It is in a large measure due to the outstanding energy, ability, and enthusiasm with which he has carried out his duties that it was possible to commence work on the three main constructions north of Bologna immediately after the capture of that city and to maintain them in such a measure as to ensure an exceptionally rapid completion of the main telecommunication system in Italy.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 2 May 1952:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Korea during the period 1 July to 31 December 1951.’

Thomas Henry Emmett attested for the Royal Corps of Signals and served in the ranks during the Second World War, being advanced Regimental Sergeant Major. Appointed Quartermaster and commissioned temporary Lieutenant on 12 August 1943, he served as Staff Officer Stores with the rank of temporary Captain with the Lines of Communication in Italy, and for his services during the Second World War was created a Member of the Order of the British Empire.

Granted a permanent commission as Lieutenant on 13 July 1946, Emmett was awarded the Second Award Bar to his Efficiency Medal in May 1947, before transferring to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps with the rank of Major on 12 November 1948. He saw further service with the R.A.O.C. in Korea, being Mentioned in Despatches, and was promoted to his ultimate rank of Lieutenant-Colonel on 12 April 1954.

Sold with the recipient’s aluminium identity disc, ‘309563 Emmett T H CE’; riband bar for the final four awards; and a Royal Army Ordnance Corps badge.