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Auction: 21003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 280

Six: Major S. L. Roxburgh, Indian Army, attached Army Field Intelligence, who was cashiered by sentence of General Court Martial in November 1947

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; War and India Service Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, S. E. Asia 1945-46 (Capt. S. L. Roxburgh S.L.Q.M. (I.A.)); Army L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., India (S-Sjt. Instr. S. L. Roxbrough [sic], I.U.L. Attd. A.F.I.), good very fine (6)

Sydney Leslie Roxburgh was born on 12 August 1900. Having served in Burma during the Second World War and in South-East Asia (Medal & clasp), Roxburgh was cashiered by Court Martial on 22 November (London Gazette 23 January 1948, refers). His case came before the House of Commons:

'Officer's Arrest, Colombo

Mr. Gammans asked the Secretary of State for War if he is aware that Captain S. L. Roxburgh of the Command Ordnance Depot, Colombo, has been in close arrest awaiting trial since March, 1947; that although his court martial started in October, no verdict has yet been given; and if he will take steps to expedite this matter.

Mr. Shinwell : I have called for further information about this case by cable from the military authorities overseas, and I will write to the hon. Member when it has been received.

Mr. Gammans : How comes it that an officer can remain for seven months under close arrest before being brought to trial? Can the right hon. Gentleman say how that could possibly happen without questions being put asking for more urgent steps to be taken to look into the matter?

Mr. Shinwell : That is precisely what I am trying to find out.

Mr. Manningham-Buller : Does the right hon. Gentleman think that the War Office was in ignorance of the fact that this officer was kept under close arrest as long as that?

Mr. Shinwell : I am informed that there was some difficulty about witnesses and the like. It is precisely because I am dissatisfied, and because a Question was put down on the Order Paper, that I am trying to ascertain the facts.'

Roxburgh died on 11 May 1973 at 10 Kittiwake Road, Yeading Green Estate, Northholt; sold together with named lid for the box for the Medal & clasp and slip for the Second War Campaign Awards, denoting '3', besides copied research.


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Estimate
£240 to £280

Starting price
£190