Orders, Decorations and Medals

Seven: Captain B. M. Roberts, Royal Engineers

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, Territorial (Lt., R.E.); Jubilee 1977, mounted as worn, together with G.VI.R. ‘For Loyal Service’ badge, one or two edge bruises, very fine and better and an unusual combination of awards (8) £140-160

Brian Meiric Roberts was born in Cardiff in 1917, where he was onetime Treasurer of the Welsh Rugby Football Union. A pre-war member of the Royal Engineers (Territorials), he was commissioned around the outbreak of hostilities and joined 4th British Division, with which unit he was embarked for the Middle East in March 1943. There he saw action in the final battles in Tunisia, was advanced to Captain and appointed the C.R.E’s Reconnaissance Officer, following which he moved to the Italian front, where he was present in the final battle for Cassino and part of the R.E. team that constructed the famous “Amazon” bridge over the Rapido river - Terence Cuneo’s picture of this epic feat hangs in the R.E. H.Q. Mess, Chatham. But in June 1944, as the campaign moved through central Italy, Roberts was severely wounded when his Dingo scout car ran into a minefield - he was repatriated to the U.K. and ended the War as a Mine Warfare Instructor at the R.E. O.C.T.U., Newark. Roberts was awarded his Jubilee 1977 Medal for services as Chief Engineer of the New Towns Commission.