Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War North Africa operations M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Corporal H. Cawood, South African Engineer Corps

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (No. 77329 L./Cpl. H. Cawood, S.A.E.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, these all officially inscribed, ‘77329 H. Cawood’, the first with officially corrected rank, minor contact marks, good very fine and better (6) £600-800

M.M. London Gazette 26 August 1943. The original recommendation states:

‘For his dogged and cheerful devotion to duty and his skilful and fearless operation of mechanical plant: in particular these qualities were displayed during the operations in Tarhuna Pass on the night of 21 January 1943, when his courageous work with a bulldozer enabled our armour to negotiate successfully enemy demolitions, and played a big part in the success of the operations.’

Hubert Cawood, who was born in November 1918, originally enlisted in the 2nd Botha Regiment in January 1940, and served in that unit in East Africa. Transferring to the South African Engineer Corps in April 1942, he went on to win his M.M. for bravery with the 32nd Road Maintenance Company. Salute The Sappers by N. Orpen and H. J. Martin states:

‘Lieutenant T. T. Robinson, working on the clearing and repair of demolitions in the Tarhuna Pass on the inland road to Tripoli, was in charge of a bulldozer team filling in demolitions and making deviations with remarkable speed in spite of explosive charges and probable mines. They worked with such rapidity and enthusiasm that the way to the Tripoli Plain was open surprisingly soon in spite of the Sappers coming under shellfire, and Robinson’s leadership and initiative earned him the M.C. The team led by Sapper H. Cawood worked with such speed and skill that his determination led to the award of the M.M.’

Cawood received his M.M. and an investiture held on 16 November 1945.