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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 578

An 'AFCENT Group' M.B.E. group of four awarded to Captain F. E. J. Bartlett, Royal Engineers

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya (19190824 Sgt F E J Bartlett RE R); General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, Radfan, South Arabia (9190824 Sgt F E J Bartlett RE R); Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (Lt F E J Bartlett RE R), mounted court-style as worn, toned, good very fine

M.B.E. London Gazette 16 June 1979:

'Captain Bartlett has performed his duties in the AFCENT Support Group since October 1972 with a devotion to duty far exceeding that normally expected of an officer. His exceptional leadership and high sense of duty have resulted in his providing the highest possible level of contribution to a wide range of responsibilities in this complex and widely dispersed International Headquarters.

His outstanding qualities were displayed to the full in planning and establising, largely by his own determined efforts, an Engineer Management Centre which has streamlined the entire AFCENT Engineer effort and thus realised a tremendous saving of NATO funds. Furthermore, continuous reductions in manpower and money have required Captain Bartlett to develop a highly complicated 5 year Engineer Planning concept for AFCENT. The completion of this plan, largely as a result of his uncomplaining endurance through exceptionally long hours of detailed analysis, has ensured the successful continuance of the established Engineer Mission.

He has also determined, as a result of detailed study, the complex AFCENT Engineer role in time of war. The effort has resulted in a complete Engineer Branch reorganisation, and the meaningful identification of both support equipment and personnel augmentation requirements. Additionally, he has spent many hours, a considerable proportion of which have been outside normal working time, resolving engineer problems associated with the establishment of AFCENT's War Headquarters in Germany and the acquisition by NATO of the Birkenfeld Mobilisation Centre.

The superior accomplishments and invaluable contributions made by this officer are the result of his dedicated commitment, which is far beyond the normal call of duty. Captain Bartlett's loyalty and selfless devotion to duty reflects the highest traditions of the Corps of Royal Engineers and lasting credit on the United Kingdom. This Officer's loyalty and selfless devotion to duty are in the higest traditions of the service and more than worthy of last recognition. He retires from the service in 1979.'

Frank Ernest James Bartlett was educated at Rainham Secondary School and had been an apprentice carpenter before enlisting in the Army aged 18. He served with 36 Corps, Royal Engineers and whilst Staff Sergeant was part of a nine-month 8-man expedition to the Gilbert & Ellis Islands in the South Pacific, in order to dive and blast overgrown coral reefs. Bartlett was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 29 September 1969 and subsequently served at AFCENT, Brunssum, The Netherlands from October 1972 - December 1978; sold with two copied photographs and research.

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Sold for
£420