The photograph above appeared in The Wire in June 1959 under the heading: ‘Who are they? Where are they now?’ The accompanying caption was: Taken outside the W.O’s and Sergeants Mess S.T.C. (I), Jubblepore, India, 1931? Reading from left to right, (Standing): C.S.M. H Hartley, D.C.M., M.S.M., CQMS Andrews, M.S.M. (Seated): RQMS Nixon, RQMS Earwaker, M.S.M., RSM … Continue reading ‘Who are they? Where are they now?’
Ninety-eight years ago, on 22 May 1920 the former Royal Navy hospital ship and troop transport SS Dongola arrived in England carrying some of the last British and French refugees to flee Bolshevik Russia. Amongst the passengers was also the final batch of British prisoners of war, who had been captured a year before during … Continue reading Major Robert Norman Dodds MBE, MC, DCM, MM
Arnie Topliff was one of only two men to earn a gallantry award in the aftermath of the sinking of the prisoner of war transport SS Lisbon Maru in October 1942. This award of the British Empire Medal was one of 13, specifically for gallantry, to Royal Signals soldiers during the Second World War. In addition … Continue reading Signalman Arnold Osmond Topliff BEM
The ‘mention in despatches’ is arguably the United Kingdom’s oldest form of recognition for gallantry or meritorious service on operations—the inclusion of the names of those worthy of being brought to the attention of the Admiralty or War Office became well-established in the 19th Century. An excellent, early example is the ‘mention’ of Serjeant Moore … Continue reading Sergeant Henry James ‘Harry’ May, 2nd Divisional Signals, Burma
