Bidspirit auction | An immediate Military Medal for

An immediate Military Medal for the Second Battle of El Alamein, in a group of four medals awarded to a senior NCO of the Royal Corps of Signals. Consisting of: Military Medal (GVIR issue) named to: 2312034 L/Sjt C G Barratt R Signals, 1939- 1945 Star, Africa Star (with 8* Army clasp) and War Medal 1939-1945. Charles George Ernest Barratt was born on 02/02/1903 in Southwark. He served in the Regular Army (Royal Signals) from 1920-1929 and, following the outbreak of WW2, he re-enlisted into the Royal Signals (TA) at Romford on 04/12/1939 at the age of 36. He embarked for the Middle East on 12/02/1942 in the rank of Lance Serjeant and was in charge of a line detachment of 8* Army Signals at the commencement of the Second Battle of El Alamein on 23/10/1942. He displayed outstanding gallantry and leadership in the early stages of the battle until he was severely wounded in a minefield (GSW abdomen) on 02/11/1942. For his conduct, his commanding officer recommended him for the Immediate award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, this recommendation being endorsed by General Montgomery (GOC 8* Army). However, as was not uncommon at that time, the recommendation was subsequently downgraded to the Military Medal by General Sir Henry (Jumbo') Wilson, CinC Middle East Forces. As a result of his wounds, L Sjt Barratt was evacuated to hospital in the UK and was discharged from the Army as permanently unfit for military duties on 27/03/1943. The award of his MM was published in the London Gazette on 04/05/1943. Married with two daughters, Charles George Ernest Barratt later lived in London and died in May 1991 at Gravesend, Kent at the age of 88. With copies of his service record, the original recommendation for the Immediate DCM, the citation for the award of the MM, extract from the London Gazette and other papers. In Good Very Fine (GVF) condition.