Orders, Decorations and Medals Including five Special Collections

A rare ‘Sicily Landings’ Immediate M.C. group of six awarded to Captain Foster Robson, Glider Pilot Regiment, Army Air Corps, subsequently wounded and taken prisoner at Arnhem in September 1944

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse dated 1943, in its Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence & War Medals, together with two Pilot’s Flying Log Books, for the period August 1942 to 17 September 1944, prisoner of war identity cards, three P.O.W. camp postcards, a contemporary news cutting ‘Arnhem Hero is Home Again’, and various other documents, extremely fine (6) £3500-4000

M.C. London Gazette 21 October 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’ The Immediate award recommendation states: ‘Sicily 4.7.43. This officer has shown outstanding gallantry and leadership in his first glider-borne operation. He landed his glider safely in the sea. He then helped those who were unable to swim to reach the shore. He showed the utmost coolness and leadership for 15 hours during which time he was an example to all. Although he was unarmed, he took two grenades and took part in the capture of a pill box in which 20 Italians were captured.’

On the night of 16th/17th September 1944, Captain Robson was the pilot of Horsa Glider No. 589 belonging to “F” Squadron, 1st Battalion The Glider Regiment, A.A.C., and took part in Operation ‘Market’, the airborne landing at Arnhem. On 20th September he was wounded in both legs and taken prisoner, subsequently being held at Oflag IX AH, at Spangenburg in Germany. After his release from captivity by the 261st Infantry, U.S. Army, Captain Robson served as part of a Defence Unit at Eschwege, under the command of Colonel R. T. Holland, D.S.O., M.C., and thus qualified for ‘the special award of the France and Germany Star’ (War Office letter refers).

The accompanying news cutting, which also carries a photograph of Robson, states: ‘Captain Foster Robson, M.C., 24-years-old ex-Altrincham Grammar Schoolboy, has arrived home after seven months’ captivity - to see his bonny baby son for the first time. At the end of 1943, Captain Robson was awarded the Military Cross. In the face of overwhelming enemy opposition on the shores of Sicily, following the crashing of his glider into the sea, he managed to battle his way through the main body, clearing pill-boxes, blowing up mines, fighting for road blocks, and shooting down snipers.

‘As a glider pilot of the 1st Airborne Division, he was wounded at Arnhem on September 20th, 1944, where he was picked up by the Germans and taken to Gronau Hospital, where he stayed for about 10 days, during which time he was operated upon. In an undermined condition, he was removed by cattle truck to Stalag 11B, where he had to wait for two days before being taken to Oflag IX/AH. “The distance between these two camps,” Captain Robson said, “was approximately 100 miles, and, due to the R.A.F.’s handiwork, the painful journey lasted 31 hours. There were 10 in my party, all of whom were in a grim state - we were just barely able to crawl along. We were placed in the camp hospital, where we stayed until well enough to hobble about.”