Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine post-War 1964 ‘Aden Brigade’ B.E.M. Pair awarded to Staff Sergeant J. K. Roberts, Royal Signals, who was instrumental in enabling military and civil communications across Aden

British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (22515075 Sgt. John K. Roberts. R. Sigs.) with Royal Mint case of issue; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (22515075 S.Sgt. J. K. Roberts. B.E.M. R. Signals.) mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards, these similarly mounted, good very fine (2) £200-£240

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1964.
The original recommendation states: ‘Aden Colony and State. 17 May 1961 to 6 May 1963. He carried out his basic line work and administrative duties as Troop Sergeant of Line Troop most successfully. These line duties entailed a supervision of work effort on cable projects, works services and fault repairs through the whole of Aden State. In addition to these, his established duties, he was intimately concerned in the detailed planning of Signals Works Services for Aden Colony (and State) and the preparation of specifications and stores forecasts for such projects. He applied the knowledge gained from his General Post Office background and training to the multitudinous line communication problems, with an intelligence and shrewdness which always produced the right answer.

His task on line communications was a difficult one owing to the paucity, indeed non existence in many instances, of cable routing records in the Services and Posts and Telecommunications Aden: These difficulties were aggravated by the rapid build up of Army units with associated new camps and installations. He showed admirable flexibility of mind in coping with the continual changes in communication planning required by this build up. A flair for making use of what equipment and cable was available as opposed to what was technically required enabled him to produce the solution to many immediate communication problems. His work called for a considerable and sustained personal effort far greater than that required or expected from one of his rank and seniority. His example was an inspiration to those who worked for and with him. These additional duties entailed close liaison with the Senior British engineers of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications Aden and his work enabled the first intelligible set of cable records for both civil and military installations, to be made. His conduct and ability gave an excellent impression of the potential of Army Signals to the Civil Technical Staff in Aden: so much so that the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications acknowledged his fine spirit of cooperation and his excellent work by sending a letter of appreciation, at the end of his tour, to Headquarters Middle East Command.’

John Keith Roberts was recommended for the B.E.M. on 3 July 1963 by Major P. A. MacGillivray, Officer Commanding No. 254 Signal Squadron (Aden), and Brigadier M. Harbottle, Commander Aden Garrison. Formerly known as Headquarters British Forces Arabian Peninsula (Independent) Signal Squadron, No. 254 Signal Squadron (Aden) was disbanded in 1965 and absorbed into No. 15 Signal Regiment, being later tasked with UN peacekeeping duties in Cyprus.