Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Staff Sergeant R. Dove, Royal Tank Regiment, late Special Air Service

U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Malaya, Arabian Peninsula, E.II.R. (22122080 Tpr. R. Dove. S.A.S.); General Service 1962-2007, 2 clasps, South Arabia, Northern Ireland (22122080 S Sgt R Dove RTR); U.N. Medal, on UNFICYP riband; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (22122080 Sgt. R. Dove. R.T.R.) good very fine or better (5) £2,400-£2,800

Provenance: An Important Collection of Awards to the S.A.S. and Special Forces, Dix Noonan Webb, March 1997; Collection of Medals to Members of the Special and Airborne Forces, Dix Noonan Webb, March 2008.

Roy Dove was called up for National Service in March 1949 and served for 18 months in 7 Royal Tank Regiment, following which he joined the County of London Yeomanry (Territorials) before enlisting in 5 Royal Tank Regiment in 1952. Whilst employed as an M.T. driver in the latter unit in Korea he volunteered for 22 Special Air Service, passing his parachute and selection courses in Singapore before being posted to ‘A’ Squadron, S.A.S. in Malaya. He was subsequently employed in Operation Termite, participating in several deep penetration patrols into the jungle, more often than not via parachute from Valettas, or helicopters, a pioneering technique known to the S.A.S. as “Tree-hopping”.

Having then been demobilised from 22 S.A.S. in 1957, he re-enlisted into 2 Royal Tank Regiment in 1960, and served in Libya, Cyprus and Germany, until, in 1965, he was appointed House Sergeant to Major-General Ward, the C.O. of 1 Division, H.Q. & Signals. On Ward’s departure, he remained employed in a similar capacity to General Alan Taylor, later Deputy Commander of U.K. Land Forces, while in 1976, he joined 1 Royal Tank Regiment and served as Officer’s Mess Steward until his retirement - his C.O. then noting that he was ‘the most be-medalled soldier in the Regiment (I’ll be glad to see him go!)’. He added, too, ‘having served in the S.A.S. myself, I probably understand Roy Dove better than anyone else in the Regiment - he’s nuts! Seriously though, I can testify to his determination and courage, his loyalty and sense of comradeship, his generosity.’

Sold with an original letter from the recipient, dated 1987; various photographic images; and copied research.