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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 620

A scarce 'Italy 1945' M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant W. A. Miller, 1st Special Service Battalion, South African Armed Forces, a Scottish-born South Rhodesian who won his laurels serving with the 11th South African Armoured Brigade at San Decima during Operation Grapeshot

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (SR.597779 V. Sjt. W. A. Miller. S.S.B.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, good very fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1945, the original recommendation states:

'During the advance on SAN DECIMA (Map reference Italy 1/50000 18072) on 22 April 1945 Sjt MILLER took command of his troop on his troop commander being wounded, when the advance of his squadron was held up by the loss of three tanks knocked out by a well concealed enemy tank.
Under heavy shell and spandau fire Sjt MILLER went forward on foot to reconnoitre and discover the enemy tank and an A/T gun, and then with great skill led his troop into position, knocked out the tank and A/T gun thus enabling advance to continue.
During the period Sjt MILLER led the troop well and bravely, and was subsequently responsible for the destruction of much enemy equipment.'

Note only 4 M.M.s issued to the Special Service Battalions and only 37 awarded to Rhodesians.

William Arthur Miller was born at Glasgow on 3 June 1905 and trained as an Engineer, emigrating to South Rhodesia, where he was living in Bulawayo and working for the Shell Company on the outbreak of war. Enlisting initially with the Southern Rhodesia Armoured Car Regiment on 1 December 1942, he was posted to the Suez on 30 January 1943 with the Special Service Battalion Armoured Regiment.

Entering the war in Italy, he was noted as wounded in action but remaining at duty on 26 July 1944 during the drive to take Florence as part of 11th Brigade, 6th South African Armoured Division. The next year a major offensive by the Allies codenamed Operation Grapeshot saw them pushing through the Po Valley. The 11th Brigade advanced into the town of San Matteo della Decima, facing a ferocious battle against a dug in and well-armed enemy.

Miller survived the battle and continued to serve until the end of the war, embarking for South Africa on 17 September 1945. He was discharged at Pretoria on 3 October and his papers say he was discharged 'on reparation to S. Rhodesia for reabsorption into the Military Forces of that colony'; sold together with copied service papers.

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Estimate

Starting price
£700