As the project progresses, details about the book and some of the stories behind the awards that it records will feature here. Follow the blog and get the stories as soon as they are published. If you like what you read, share it and pass the word about the project.
Palestine 1920-1948: In Memoriam
Amongst the many anniversaries being commemorated or acknowledged—the start of the Advance to Victory that ended the First World War (100 years), the Munich Agreement (80 years) and the Italian Armistice (75 years)—it is somewhat surprising that there has been little mention of the end of the Palestine Mandate and Britain's withdrawal from that ancient … Continue reading Palestine 1920-1948: In Memoriam
Major Robert Norman Dodds MBE, MC, DCM, MM
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
Royal Signals Gallantry Awards—Project Update, February 2018
A year into the project, I thought I should provide an update on progress and some information on what I have discovered thus far. The register of awards is, presently, organized by decoration or medal and in order of the level of award (as opposed to the order of wear). A summary of the number … Continue reading Royal Signals Gallantry Awards—Project Update, February 2018
‘Darkest Hour’, Calais—Capture and Escape
I suspect many of the readers here will have seen Darkest Hour and Gary Oldman’s superb performance as Churchill. One aspect of the final days of the fighting in France that gets a deserved mention in the film is the ill-fated defence of Calais by Brigadier Claude Nicholson’s 30th Motor Brigade. Ordered to hold out … Continue reading ‘Darkest Hour’, Calais—Capture and Escape
The Shahur Tangi Ambush, North-West Frontier, 1937
Operations in Waziristan and elsewhere on the North-West Frontier of India, earned for Royal Signals some of its very first awards for gallantry—the earliest in the 1920s are dealt with in the chapter of the book that deals with the Meritorious Service Medal for gallantry. By 1924 conflict in the region had largely abated but … Continue reading The Shahur Tangi Ambush, North-West Frontier, 1937
Signalman Arnold Osmond Topliff BEM
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 Hong Kong Signal Company and the SS Lisbon Maru
In memory of the officers and men of the Corps who died during the sinking of the SS Lisbon Maru on 2 October 1942, and of those others who were killed in action during the Battle for Hong Kong or who later died as prisoners of war. Seventy-five years ago, Signalman Arnold Topliff earned the … Continue reading The Hong Kong Signal Company and the SS Lisbon Maru
The East Coast Floods, 1953
As I sit here writing about Royal Signals gallantry awards, the news is dominated by accounts of the Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Jose and Katia and the massive earthquake in Mexico. By coincidence, the section that I am writing is about the East Coast Floods of 1953. You can read about the floods and the gallantry … Continue reading The East Coast Floods, 1953
Sergeant Henry James ‘Harry’ May, 2nd Divisional Signals, Burma
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
Dunkirk
As Christopher Nolan’s epic visualization of the evacuation from Dunkirk hits the big screen, it is timely to look briefly at the gallantry of the Corps’ soldiers during the operation. The chapter of the book that deals with the nation’s second highest award for gallantry in action—the Distinguished Conduct Medal[1]—devotes a large part to the … Continue reading Dunkirk
