Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘May 1940’ M.M. group of seven to Serjeant L. J. Brabham, Reconnaisance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps, late the Buffs

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6285495 Sjt., Recce C.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (6285495 Pte., The Buffs); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, good very fine and better (7) £1200-1500

M.M. London Gazette 29 November 1945 ‘No.6285495 Sergeant Leslie John Brabham, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps’. Recommendation states: ‘On the 20th & 21st May 1940 during the fighting on the River Escaut, Belgium, this N.C.O. was in command of a forward section post which he held against opposition until the section was driven out by enemy bombs. He then reorganised his section in the reserve platoon area. Later on he joined in two counter attacks and showed great gallantry and coolness and set a fine example’.

Brabham served in the 2nd Battalion Buffs pre-war in Palestine and later with the B.E.F., September 1939-May 1940. He transferred to the 44th Reconnaissance Regiment in 1941 and served in Egypt and Italy.