A Second World War ‘Italy Campaign’ B.E.M. awarded to Sergeant Robert B. Dixon, Royal Engineers

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1877222 Sgt. Robert B. Dixon, R.E.) good very fine £200-250

B.E.M. London Gazette 21 December 1944.

Recommendation reads: ‘During the campaign in Italy Sgt Dixon has at all times shown a marked devotion to duty and given the most loyal support to his Section Officer. From 0300 hours on 12th March 1944 Sgt. Dixon was in charge of [a] working party on the replacement of a Bailey Bridge at Campcharin (?) over the river Tiferno. This bridge had collapsed under the weight of a Sherman Tank, and it was of the utmost importance that the bridge should be replaced, acting as it did as a vital link in the 8th Army supply route. The work was carried out continually under conditions of extreme cold and driving rain, and a high wind which tended at times to imperil the safety of the bridge during launching. In spite of these difficulties Sgt. Dixon so inspired the working parties by his capable command, continuous effort and resolute determination that the new bridge was successfully launched and this vital line of communication open to traffic again at 0115 hours on the 13th March 1944.

M.I.D. London Gazette 30 December 1941.

Sergeant Robert Brownlee Dixon, Royal Engineers came from South Shields.