Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

A good Second War ‘North Africa’ D.C.M. group of five awarded to Warrant Officer (Battery Sergeant Major) E. Redpath, 74th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, who was killed in action just two weeks after his D.C.M. winning exploits on 29 June 1942

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (721558 W.O.Cl.II, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, with 8th Army clasp; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (721558 Bmbr., R.A.) good very fine or better (5) £2500 -3000

D.C.M. (Immediate) London Gazette 24 September 1942 (North Africa). The recommendation states: ‘At Mrassas on 15 June 1942 when his troop was engaging tanks, Battery Sergeant Major Redpath showed great coolness under fire, and by his efforts prevented much valuable equipment from falling into enemy hands. He not only directed the fire of one gun for some time but also helped to man another with his Troop Commander till it was knocked out and the Troop Commander wounded. After carrying the latter back under heavy fire from tanks he collected and saw to the evacuation of other wounded, mobilised men and vehicles to withdraw the guns out of action and saw them safely across a shell swept wadi. He recrossed the Wadi to help in saving equipment from a damaged truck and from a gun whose tractor had been set on fire. He finally saw that all abandoned vehicles were destroyed before he left the position.’

Redpath’s Troop Commander was Captain R. Grimstone, who was awarded the D.S.O. for this same action.

Warrant Officer Class II (Battery Sergeant Major) Ernest Redpath was killed in action in North Africa on 29 June 1942, whilst serving with 74th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. He is buried in El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.