Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Great War O.B.E., M.C. group of six to Major E.G. Pemberton, Warwickshire Yeomanry, who was wounded and awarded the M.C. for the charge at the Battle of Rafa

ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, O.B.E. (Military) 1st type; MILITARY CROSS, G.V.R.; 1914-15 STAR (Lieut., Warwick Yeo.); BRITISH WAR AND VICTORY MEDALS, M.I.D. (Major); TERRITORIAL DECORATION, G.V.R., good very fine (6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Mike Minton.

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O.B.E., London Gazette, 3 June, 1919 (Egypt)

M.I.D., London Gazette, 3 March, 1917, 5 June 1917 and 6 July 1917.

M.C., London Gazette, 3 March, 1917. 'For conspicuous gallantry in action. He handled his squadron throughout the operations with marked courage and ability. He was wounded.'

The Desert Mounted Corps at the battle of Rafa, 9 January 1917.

The object of the frontal attack was to hold the enemy in front while the enveloping movement to the S.E. of this position was being carried out by the New Zealanders and the Camel Corps. The Brigade were at this time disposed as follows:- On the lefr the Gloucester with one Squadron of Worcesters; in the centre the Warwicks, 'D' Squadron (Capt. Gooch) and 'B' Squadron (Capt. Valentine), 'C' Squadron under Capt. Pemberton was on the right front.

Although the enemy had withdrawn his field guns to the rear, the advance was checked by severe traverse fire from machine guns and rifle fire, and the Regiment had suffered many casualties though mostly in wounded. About 3 o'clock the Warwicks machine gun section came into position and opened fire at 1,450 yards on the Turkish front line trenches, under cover of which a concentrated attack was carried out.

The Gloucesters with 'C' Squadron of the Warwicks came in for heavy fire advancing over open ground and suffered severely. About 4.30 the Camel Corps stormed at the point of the bayonet, and were well supported by the Yeomanry machine guns. It was then nearly dark but a successful and orderly retirement was carried out under effective covering fire. It was lefr to the Anzacs to complete the victory.

The net result of the operations was the capture of 2,000 prisoners and a large amount of stores and ammunition. Amongst the casualties the Warwicks had two officers and 42 OR's wounded and five men killed. Capt. Pemberton was hit in the foot and Lieut. Ware received a bullet wound in the face.