Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An exceptional B.E.M. group of nine awarded to Sergeant J. T. Dalton, Royal Engineers, a qualified parachutist who fought with the 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem in 1944

British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (1877365 Sgt. Joseph T. Dalton, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 3 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Near East, Cyprus (1877365 Cpl., R.E.); Coronation 1953; Regular Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (1877365 Sgt., R.E.), together with Regular Army Certificate of Service confirming all medals and clasps, Para cloth wings, ‘Airborne’ cloth shoulder title, R.E. cap badge and cloth shoulder title, generally very fine or better (14) £1800-2200

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1955. The original recommendation states:

‘Sergeant Joseph Terrence Dalton, Royal Engineers, Training Wing Instructor, Army Air Transport Training and Development Centre:

Sergeant Dalton began his Airborne Service by qualifying as a parachutist in 1943 and in 1944 fought with the 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem.

In the course of his tour with A.A.T.D.C. as an Instructor, and later as Senior Sergeant Instructor, Sergeant Dalton has shown qualities which prove him to be an N.C.O. of the highest intelligence and efficiency.

He has been responsible for instructing officers and N.C.Os of all arms in the preparation of heavy equipment for parachuting and in the loading of equipment into air craft for movement by air, both in this country and in the Middle East. He is an exceptionally competent instructor whose strong personality has been apparent at all times. His bearing and manner is exemplary and is particularly suited to the sometimes difficult task of instructing officers. Recently he has been involved in instructing, assisting and supervising units of 16 Airborne Division (T.A.) in parachuting heavy equipment on platforms from rear loading aircraft, being largely responsible for the successful dropping of 150 loads in the last 15 months. On T.A. exercises his efforts are untiring and no matter how long the hours to be worked he has given of his best. All units of the T.A. with which he has worked have commented on his ability and efficiency.

Sergeant Dalton is an experienced parachutist who has made over 70 descents. Over the last five years he has cheerfully accepted the risks attendant on experimental parachuting, having in many cases dropped with experimental equipment. The present advanced stage of heavy equipment dropping owes a great deal to his suggestions, and to his willingness to offer himself for test work at considerable personal risk. He has consistently accepted much more responsibility than would normally be placed on a Sergeant and has put in much longer hours of work, voluntarily and without complaint, than could have been expected of him. He has shown an example of leadership, enthusiasm, intelligence, cheerfulness and drive which does the greatest credit to his Corps and the Army.’

Joseph Terrence Dalton was born in York in July 1922 and enlisted at Aldershot in July 1936. During the Second World War he witnessed active service in North Africa with the 1st Army from October 1942 to October 1943 and, having attended the Parachute Training School at Ringway at the end of the latter year - passing Course No. 93 with the comments ‘High standard attained, confident stick jumper’ - was posted to 4 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers, in August 1944. He subsequently participated in the Arnhem operations from 18 September 1944, with the 1st Airborne Division, and remained in North West Europe until June 1945, when he went to Norway for two months.

Dalton subsequently saw much service with the Middle East Land Forces in Palestine, the Near East, and in Cyprus, and was advanced to Warrant Officer Class II in August 1958. Discharged on the termination of his engagement in July 1962, he died at Preston, Lancashire on 2 July 1997.