Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 715

The 'Battle of Mersa Matruh 1942' M.M. group of six awarded to Acting Sergeant R. W. Kirby, Royal Artillery, who saved his gun from the German encirclement of X Corps during the retreat to El-Alamein

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (902875 A/Sjt. R. K. Kirby R.A.), officially re-impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, pitting, very fine (6)

M.M. London Gazette 31 December 1942, the original recommendation states:

'On the night of 28/29 June, 1942, this Regiment was ordered to leave Garawla Box, which was surrounded by the enemy. The Regiment was ordered to make its way out after all Other Arms had left the Box as best they could.

No. 902875 L/Sgt. Kirby was the No.1 of a 4.5" Gun and was travelling in his A.E.C. tractor which was towing his Gun and detachment.

Early on in the dash through, he became separated from the remainder of the Gun Group owing to confused being caused by the Group running into an ambush of German Tanks, in which many vehicles were disabled and set on fire. During the march, he and a flat tyre of his Gun.

This was changed in the vicinity of the enemy and having done so, he succeeded in making his way through further small arms and machine gun fire from which his Gun and Tractor, were hit in several places.

By his initiative and calmness under very hazardous conditions, he brought his vehicle, Gun and detachment through the enemy lines to the New Zealand Div Aea, from which position it was again used against the enemy.'

Robert Kenneth Kirby enlisted on 27 April 1939 and served with the 64th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, seeing action in North Africa. After the award of his M.M. he continued to serve through Tunisia and Italy before being transferred to North-West Europe and was wounded there on 19 February 1945. Kirby was demobilised in March 1946 and re-joined the Reserve in July 1946.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£600

Starting price
£280