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Auction: 6025 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 243

An Interesting and Most Unusual Saudi Arabian British Military Mission C.B.E., and 1944 Normandy ´Immediate´ Armoured Car M.C. Group of Ten to Colonel K.F. Timbrell, 1st Royal Dragoons, Royal Armoured Corps a) The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, 2nd type, Military Division, Commander´s (C.B.E.) neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in Garrard, London, case of issue b) Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse dated ´1944´ c) 1939-1945 Star d) Africa Star, with 8th Army Bar e) Italy Star f) France and Germany Star g) Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaf h) General Service Medal 1918-62, E.II.R., one clasp, Arabian Peninsula (Major K.F. Timbrell. M.C. Royals.) i) Jordan, Hashemite Kingdom, Order of Independence, Second Class set of Insignia, by Arthus Bertrand, Paris, neck Badge, 63mm including palm-leaves suspension x 43mm, metal-gilt and enamel, maker´s mark on reverse; Star, 90mm, silver, silver-gilt, and enamel, maker´s mark on pin, with neck riband and miniature award, in case of issue, the group nearly extremely fine, mounted as worn, with Commission appointing K.F. Timbrell, as Lieutenant, 1st Royal Dragoons, dated 31.10.1947, named enclosure slip, and portrait photographs (10) Estimate £ 2,000-2,400C.B.E. London Gazette 1.1.1966 Brigadier (local) Kenneth Francis Timbrell, M.C. (261272), The Royal Dragoons (1st Dragoons), The Recommendation states, ´As Head of the British Military Mission (consisting only of two officers) to the Saudi Arabian National Guard, Brigadier Timbrell had the primary responsibility for creating some degree of order out of formidable chaos. During the two years of his service in Saudi Arabia he succeeded in the very difficult task of converting what was no more than a primitive conglomeration of tribal units into something approaching an organised and disciplined force. This required the exercise of exceptional patience, perseverance and tact and, above all, the ability to win the confidence and respect of the Saudi authorities from the Commander, Prince Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, a brother of King Faisal, down to the humblest tribesman. The most eloquent tribute to Timbrell´s qualities and the confidence he gained of his Saudi superiors was their decision to entrust him with the planning of the front line of Saudi defences in the South against the threat of an incursion by U.A.R. Forces from the Yemen. Brigadier Timbrell was sent down to Jizan on a number of occasions in the spring and summer of 1965 to carry out this important task. The manner in which Brigadier Timbrell carried out his arduous duties with the National Guard under the most challenging and solitary conditions and the undoubted success with which they were accompanied have done much for British prestige in Saudi Arabia. These achievements acquire special significance when it is recalled that we have had no military mission of any kind in Saudi Arabia since 1949 and the field has been left entirely clear to the Americans until the arrival of our present mission in July 1963. Prince Abdullah expressed to Her Majesty´s Ambassador in Jeddah on more than one occasion his sincere admiration for Timbrell´s qualities and his appreciation of the work done by the British Military Mission in building a sound basis for the future development of the National Guard on reasonably modern lines. He has spoken similarly to the Chief of the General Staff. I consider that his services are exceptionally deserving of recognition.´ M.C. London Gazette 21.12.19144 Lieutenant Kenneth Francis Timbrell (261272), 1st The Royal Dragoons, Royal Armoured Corps (Birmingham), The Recommendation states, ´On evening 14 Aug 44, this officer was ordered to enter the village of Bonnoeil and to hold it with two troops of armed cars until the arrival of tanks and infantry. It was a vital bridgehead which had to be secured to enable the advance to continue. Lt. Timbrell led his troops into the town and surprised an enemy infantry Bn position. Together with the other Tp. Ldr, he created complete disorganisation for a considerable period, killing or taking prisoner about 60 Germans. He held on to this bridgehead against enemy counter attacks for two hours, the last half hour of which was in total darkness, until the infantry relieved him. I consider the success of this small operation was entirely due to the fearlessness and initiative of Lt. Timbrell and the other Tp. Ldr. concerned.´ M.I.D. London Gazette 10.5.1945 Lt. K.F. Timbrell, M.C. (2612272) ´For services in North West Europe´. Colonel Kenneth Timbrell, C.B.E., M.C., born 20.8.1919; joined Royal Horse Guards, 1939, and served 3 years and 132 days in the ranks including the Syrian Campaign - action at Palmyra and the re-capture of Baghdad; Second Lieutenant (Emergency Commission), 1st Royal Dragoons, 10.10.1942 and acted as one of Montgomery´s Liaison Officers during the Second War; Temporary Captain 29.12.1944-31.10.1947; specially employed 14.12.1946-13.12.1949, ´he was seconded to the Sudan Defence Force and Commanded a Mounted Infantry Company in Nyala before re-joining the Royals to Command A Squadron in Germany and Egypt during the troubles and on internal security duties. It was here during a tense situation he took his Squadron to Ismailia to assist with riot control after a bomb was thrown killing a Military Police Officer and destroying his jeep. At this time A Squadron came under heavy fire from the Egyptian Police who were silenced by the Royal´s Besa and 2 Pdr gunfire directed against the Caracol. He then came across a large crowd of Egyptians setting fire to vehicles. He charged the crowd and put them to flight.´ (typed manuscript included in the lot refers); Major 10.4.1954; Deputy Assistant Adjutant and Quartermaster General of the Sultan of Muscat´s Armed Forces, 21.12.1959-29.4.1961; Lieutenant Colonel. 12.7.1961; Brigadier (Local), Head of the British Military Mission to Saudi Arabia, July 1963-September 1965; Garrison Commander Headquarters Troops Sharjah, 23.6.1967-15.12.1971; Colonel 20.5.1972; Defence Attache Jordan.

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