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

A fine Second World War battle of Tamara group of six awarded to Sergeant A. Milner, Royal Artillery, whose battery was dive-bombed on no less than eleven occasions whilst employed in support of 1 Parachute Brigade

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1424320 Sjt. A. Milner, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, the first with occasional edge bruising, good very fine or better (6) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 15 June 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and outstanding devotion to duty during the battle of Tamara 5-17 March 1943. During the battle Sergeant Milner’s battery was almost constantly subjected to accurate observed counter battery fire and was dive-bombed on eleven occasions. Sergeant Milner, who was Battery N.C.O. in command of Signals, kept line communications from Battery C.P. through to troop C.Ps throughout this period. Immediately a line was broken by enemy shell fire or bombing, and no matter how intense the shelling or bombing, he personally led his line party out and quickly re-established communications. So efficiently and conscientiously did he carry out his duty that on no occasion was the Battery C.P. in the position of not being able to get fire orders through to the troops.’

Alec Milner, a native of Shipley, was serving in 70th Field Regiment, R.A., an element of 1 Parachute Brigade, 46th Division, 5 Corps, at the time of the above described deeds. As verified by accompanying photocopied extracts from 70th Field Regiment’s War Diary, the unit’s batteries were indeed constantly under attack, one of them, 449 Battery, possibly being Milner’s one:

‘Parachute Brigade reported that through “intercept” that the enemy would attack from the North, and this was duly confirmed by the sound of heavy M.G. fire. 449 Battery came under very heavy hostile shelling. During the day our gun positions were subjected to seven dive-bombing attacks. A Company of Foresters were overrun and the French and Leicestershires were also forced to give ground. Lieutenant R. M. Lightbody acting as Forward Observation Officer was reported as missing’ (70th Field Regiment’s War Diary, 17 March 1943, refers).