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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 557

An Unusual Military M.B.E. Group of Five to Captain T.J. Burtenshaw, Commanding Officer 44 Independent Para Brigade OFP (T.A.); Late Royal Army Ordnance Corps; 6th Airborne Division Reconnaissement Regiment and 12th Royal Lancers a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Member´s (M.B.E.) breast Badge, silver b) Defence and War Medals c) General Service 1918-62, G.VI.R., two clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Canal Zone last loose on riband (Capt. T.J. Burtenshaw R.A.O.C.) d) Army Long Service & G.C., G.VI.R., with ´Regular Army´ bar suspension (401658 W.O. Cl. 2 T.J. Burtenshaw. Recce. R.), good very fine, mounted as originally worn (5) Estimate £ 400-500 M.B.E. London Gazette 31.12.1960 Captain T.J. Burtenshaw (371305), Royal Army Ordnance Corps, Territorial Army, the Original Recommendation states, ´Captain Burtenshaw enlisted in the regular army in 1927 as a Trooper in the Queen´s Bays, and served with that regiment and the 12th Royal Lancers until 1939, when he transferred to the RAC. He remained with the RAC until 1946, during which time he attained the rank of RSM and was awarded a Certificate of Gallantry. In 1945 and 1946 he served as RSM with the 6th Airborne Division Reconnaissement Regiment. When he was commissioned in 1946 he transferred to the RAOC, and thereafter served with Airborne Forces until he retired in 1956. He immediately joined 16th Airborne Division (TA) as a RAOC officer, and was given command of 44 Indep Para Bde OFP (TA), with which unit he has remained until the present date. During his active service with the OFP, with no other officer to assist him except in the last five months, he has raised the volunteer strength of the unit from 40 to over 100 per cent of the establishment. He attends every drill night and every training weekend. At 51 years of age, he remains an active parachutist. Through his boundless enthusiasm and by an entire disregard for his own personal responsibilities, he has created a first class unit of which he is justifiably proud. Captain Burtenshaw has given 33 years service to the Regular and Territorial Armies, the last 15 of which have been spent with Airborne Forces. Undoubtedly he is one of the most experienced RAOC Airborne officers in either the Regular or Territorial forces. Furthermore, he has set an example of service and devotion to duty that may be equalled but not surpassed. He is now in the last year of his service. It would be difficult to find an officer more deserving of this award, for which he is very strongly recommended.´ Captain Thomas Joseph Burtenshaw, M.B.E., after service as a Warrant Officer was commissioned Second Lieutenant Royal Army Ordnance Corps, 19.8.1946; advanced Captain 19.8.1952; Honorary Captain T.A. 12.6.1956; retired 13.5.1964.

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£600