Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A most unusual 1943 Second War ‘anti-terrorist, bomb disposal’ B.E.M. group of five awarded to Trooper W. Robson, Royal Armoured Corps, who made safe a bomb planted under a cinema seat in Poona, India

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (7893051. Tpr. William Robson.); 1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for wear, generally very fine (5) £600-800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards for Burma Operations during the Second World War.

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Provenance: DNW, December 2003.

B.E.M. London Gazette 18 February 1944:

‘On the night of 24 January 1943, Trooper Robson was in a cinema at Poona, India, when suddenly he heard a hissing noise under one of seats near to where he was seated. The noise was followed by a sheet of flame, and the audience stampeded to the exits. Trooper Robson and another man fetched two fire buckets and Trooper Robson poured water on to the object, which proved to be a bomb. He extinguished the fire and proceeded to examine the bomb. This was found to contain a mixture of cordite and sulphur, which was apparently ignited by some form of acid. In the centre of the bomb was a type of hand grenade. Trooper Robson placed the bomb in a bucket of water and carried it outside the building. His action undoubtedly prevented the bomb from exploding and causing a number of casualties.’

William Robson was born in April 1920, and was the son of C. R. Robson of Torrens Street, Irlam O’ the Heights, Salford. He enlisted in the Royal Armoured Corps at Bury in May 1939. Robson was a Fitter by trade and had been employed by the Merchant Navy prior to his enlistment in the Army.

Robson undertook training in the United Kingdom, until 16 March 1942, when he was posted to India. He served in Burma, including with the 25th Dragoons, as part of the Armoured group of the XV Indian Corps, on the Arakan front. The Regiment were present at The Battle of the Admin Box in February 1944. Robson returned to the UK in October 1945, and was transferred to the Army Reserve in July the following year. He was discharged with an ‘Exemplary’ rating in September 1947, having been found medically unfit for further service, and resided with his family in West Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the B.E.M., dated 4 September 1946; Regular Army certificate of discharge and Soldier’s Release Book; and five local newspaper cuttings reporting on the award of his B.E.M., two with portrait photographs.