Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War ‘North Africa’ M.M, group of five awarded to Lance Sergeant E. Riley, Royal Horse Artillery, who was originally recommended for a D.C.M. for his gallantry during a close range encounter with enemy armour and artillery at Charruba on 31 January 1942. He had earlier been wounded in France in May 1940 and recommended for distinction during the Greek Campaign in 1941

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (863867 L, Sgt. E. Riley. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400

M.M. London Gazette 23 April 1942.
The original recommendation - for a D.C.M. - states: ‘On Saturday 31 January 1942, Lance Sergeant Riley’s gun with one other were part of a small forward column with only one company of the 9th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade, at Charubba. Here they were cut off from the rest of the British Forces by an enemy column. No R.H.A. officer was present with the party. The enemy were encountered as they were endeavouring to rejoin the main force. Lance Sergeant Riley at once brought his gun into action in the open and with another gun drove off some enemy tanks and some lorried infantry which had been brought up. So effective was the fire that it was decided to try and break through, Lance Sergeant Riley’s gun advancing with the first party. Lance Sergeant Riley showed a very high order of coolness and courage.

The following extracts from the Company Commander’s War Diary refer to his action:
‘The fire of the 25-pounders forced the enemy armoured cars south, but not before one had been put out of action by a direct hit. The remaining gun knocked out the enemy field gun. The winch gear of the quods was continually being used to drag our trucks from the mud. The 25-pounder got into action very quickly.’

Lance Sergeant Riley has done splendid work in this campaign as he did in Greece where he was recommended for distinction which he did not receive, for his work at the Observation Post on several unpleasant occasions.’

Edward Riley, who was born on 30 January 1918, enlisted in the Royal Artillery in 1937 and was wounded on 10 May 1940 in France while serving as a Gunner with the 2nd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery. He next saw action in the withdrawal from Greece in April 1941 where, as stated in the above citation, he distinguished himself but received no decoration. He probably also witnessed extensive action in the ‘Crusader’ operations of November 1941, when 2nd R.H.A. formed part of 4 Armoured Brigade, and fought alongside the 8th Hussars, and 3rd & 5th Royal Tank Regiments, with 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards in support. Remaining with his Regiment, he was advanced to Lance Sergeant before he went on to win his M.M. for the above cited deeds at Charubba, North Africa on 31 January 1942.

Later, in May 1942, the 2nd R.H.A. moved up to the ‘Knightsbridge Box’ where, on the 28th, they faced Rommel’s latest offensive, and thus experienced the almighty tank battles in an area known as the ‘Cauldron’. Heavy losses here resulted in XXX Corps’ retreat to El Alamein where the 2nd R.H.A. transferred to the 1st Armoured Division in readiness for the conclusive 2nd Battle of El Alamein in October 1942, when its batteries fired on average 150 rounds per day.

Lance Sergeant Riley was also wounded for second time on 9 May 1943 in the closing stages of the Tunisian Campaign.

Another M.M. for the Charubba action was awarded to Sergeant W. Bacon, 2nd Regiment, Royal Horse Artillery, attached 9th Battalion, The Rifle Brigade who partnered Lance Sergeant Riley in his efforts by manning the forward column’s other 25 pounder to equally good effect. Sergeant Bacon’s M.M. group was sold in these rooms on 17 May 2016.

Sold with the recipient’s original M.M. citation and Army Council enclosure confirming the award of the recipient’s Second War campaign medals and clasps.