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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 588

(x) An Immediate 1944 Italy Operations M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal R. J. Church, 214th Field Company, Royal Engineers

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1889947 L.Sgt. R. J. Church. R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted for wear, very fine (6)

M.M. London Gazette 7 December 1944. The original Recommendation for an Immediate award states:

'On 19 June 1944 No. 3 Platoon of this Company was engaged on opening up Route 71 from Citta del Pieve to Sanfatucchio. They constructed two bridges during the day but the third one at MR Sheet 122 - 411872 was commanded by the enemy. Worked was started on this last bridge at midnight, and L/Sgt Church was responsible for the organisation and construction of the bridge.

Church's men were already extremely tired, but it was vital that the bridge was finished before daylight because there were infantry to the immediate front of the bridge and only a small infantry position to the left of it. Church showed magnificent leadership and led and encouraged the men with zeal and ability. The bridge was however finished in daylight and so close to this bridge was the enemy that it could not be used for approximately 12 hours because he had complete command with small arms and mortar fire on it. This NCO's powers of leadership, his cheerfulness and devotion to duty were on this occasion beyond praise.'

Robert Joseph Church was born in Waltham Forest, London on 15 September 1919. Working as a plumber's improver and living at Jubilee Bungalow, Sevenoaks in 1939, he served with 214th (North Midland) Field Company, Royal Engineers during the Second World War. They were assigned to 1st (Guards) Brigade for the North Africa Landings. It served with distinction during the Tunisian campaign and in April 1943 cleared over 1,000 mines on the Oued Zarga-Medjez el Bab Road in a little under 48 hours. They thence served in the Husky Landings on Sicily and further in the Italian Campaign, proving vital at the Battle of Termoli. The Company rapidly constructed a Class 30 Bridge across the River Biferno, which was at that time in flood, in order that the allied tanks could withdraw without more severe loss. They worked to erect a 100ft Bailey bridge across two spans of the broken Highway 16 and their bricklayers put down some 5,000 bricks in nine hours whilst under constant fire.

Having earned his M.M. in June 1944, Church was discharged in March 1946. He died in September 1988.

A striking image (NAM. 1999-03-88-85) of his Company in action is held by the National Army Museum.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£1,100

Starting price
£900