Orders, Decorations and Medals

An outstanding immediate M.M. for Italy awarded to Lance-Corporal C. H. Preen, Reconnaissance Corps and North Irish Horse, Royal Armoured Corps

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4920353 L.Cpl. C. H. Preen, Recce-Corps); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, together with relating mounted set of 6 dress miniatures, good very fine £2000-2500

M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945: Lance-Corporal Charles Henry Preen, Reconnaissance Corps, Royal Armoured Corps (‘Immediate’ award for services in Italy). The original recommendation, dated 16 February 1945, states:

‘On the night of 7th February 1945, Lance Corporal Preen was a member of a troop which had that evening taken over the defence of the outpost position of CA SALARS 035263, a ruined house.

At 0120 hrs an enemy raiding party estimated at 35 strong, from 3 Para Regt, attacked the position, preceded by an intense concentration of artillery and mortar fire.

Lance-Corporal Preen’s position was in the rear of the house. Immediately the artillery and mortar fire ceased, the enemy fired a panzerfaust at the rear wall of the house causing a wide breach to be made. The collapse of this wall buried Lance-Corporal Preen who suffered from concussion. In spite of this, as soon as he was extracted, he seized a sub machine gun, and took his place in the breach which, after the initial assault had been repelled, was subjected to intense small arms and grenade fire.

Totally disregarding his personal saftey, he fought on in the breach throughout the whole action, until the enemy were finally driven off at 0230 hrs, when he collapsed.

He displayed tremendous courage and devotion to duty throughout.’

Sold with a number of original documents including named Buckingham Palace transmission slip for M.M.; official copy of the recommendation; two passes to visit Vienna in December 1945 and Wuppertal in February 1946, both whilst serving with B Squadron, North Irish Horse; and Record of Service card, dated 13 June 1946, which states that he served with the South Staffs Regiment from 18 April to 14 June 1940, The Black Watch from 15 June 1940 to 1 February 1941, and the Reconnaissance Corps from 2 February 1941 until 31 December 1943, when it transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps.