Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Second War ‘Bomb Disposal’ M.B.E. group of three awarded to Lieutenant (temporary Captain) R. I. Williams, 16 Bomb Disposal Company, Royal Engineers The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver, with miniature ‘Gallantry’ emblem affixed to riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue, with named Buckingham Palace enclosure; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; together with the recipient’s cloth and bullion Bomb Disposal sleeve badge, nearly extremely fine (3) £400-£500 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 18 June 1946: ‘In recognition of gallant conduct in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’ The original Recommendation states: ‘Captain Williams has rendered services of exceptional merit in the clearance of defensive minefield in the United Kingdom and the disposal of unexploded enemy bombs. In June 1944, he cleared a minefield near Grimsby containing anti-personnel mines which had been subjected to enemy air attack in the form of Butterfly bombs. Although the presence of unexploded Butterfly bombs greatly added to the already considerable risk of clearance, this officer succeeded by his organisation, leadership, and personal example in clearing the fields without casualties. He was subsequently engaged on the clearance of minefields at various other places and was in all responsible for the successful clearance of approximately 1,700 Type C and 3,000 anti-tank mines. Throughout the whole of this work he displayed courage of the highest order. Following an enemy air raid on Grimsby and Cleethorpes on 14 June 1943, when the vicinity was practically immobilised by between 2,000 and 3,000 Butterfly bombs, this officer personally disposed of 66 of these bombs, some of which were fused to detonate on the slightest movement and had fallen in unstable positions. Captain Williams was later employed as a specialist in X-ray photography of bombs and was called to incidents in all parts of the country where unusual features of booby traps were suspected. Throughout his period of service the example in courage and the cheerful and unhesitating acceptance of personal hazard displayed by this officer has been of the very highest order.’ Ronald Ian Williams commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 5 May 1941 and served with 16 Bomb Disposal Company during the Second World War, being awarded the M.B.E. for his gallantry in Bomb Disposal during the War. Sold together with the recipient’s Freedom of the City of London Certificate; various Central Chancery enclosures; Corporation of London letters of congratulations; and copied research. Note: The Gallantry emblem to the M.B.E. was not instituted until 1957, and was not retrospective; however, it would appear that the recipient, feeling he was entitled to it, added the emblem to this M.B.E. riband.