Awards to Civilians from the Collection of John Tamplin

A Bomb and Mine Clearance B.E.M. group of five awarded to Battery Quartermaster-Sergeant G. W. White, Royal Artillery

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (833302 Btty. Q-M-S. Geoffrey W. White, R.A.); India General Service 1936-39, 1 clasp, North West Frontier 1936-37 (833302 Gnr., R.A.); Defence and War Medals; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Bomb & Mine Clearance 1945-49 (833302 B.Q.M.S., R.E.) good very fine (5)
£350-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Awards to Civilians from the Collection of John Tamplin.

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B.E.M. (Military Division) London Gazette 1 January 1948: ‘No. 833302 Battery Quartermaster-Sergeant Geoffrey Walter White, Royal Regiment of Artillery.’ The recommendation states:

‘BQMS White during the last 12 months has been the only BAS/PRC other rank attached to the various Polish detachments and working parties stationed in remote camps in East Sussex and engaged in the difficult task of clearing Battle Training Areas on the South Downs and in neighbouring estates.

Owing to unavoidable postings of officers he has often been on his own in charge of these Polish detachments of strengths varying between 100-200 men for periods of several weeks at a time. These detachments for the first six months consisted of difficult Poles who had opted to return to Poland and were, while awaiting transport to Poland, compelled to work on the South Downs during the last very severe winter. Since then the detachments have had their personnel changed several times owing to the rundown of the PRC owing to resettlement. It is due to BQMS White’s energy, tact and personal example that there has been no trouble in these camps and that the work of Downs Clearance has steadily progressed and been practically completed.’