Hammer

£4,200

WW1 Westminster Dragoons, Royal Engineers Officer WW2 Commanding the Cingue Ports Anti Aircraft Regiment Senior Officer RA Malta 1941-43

A fine Defence of Malta group of 13 awarded to Brigadier Norman Vause Sadler OBE DCM., TD who after service at Gallipoli with the Westminster Dragoons attached to the topographical section of the Royal Engineers earning the DCM and during the Battle of Britain Commanded the Dover Anti Aircraft Defences resulting in the award of the OBE and would then be Senior Royal Artillery Officer during the Siege of Malta commanding AA guns 1941 to 1943. Comprising:Breast Badge of the Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Conduct Medal (GVR) “547502 CPL N.V. SADLER R.E.”, 1914/15 Star, “1187 PTE 2-CO.OF. LOND Y”, British War Medal, Victory Medal, “1187 A.SJT 2-CO OF LOND Y”, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, GVIR Coronation Medal, EIIR Coronation Medal, Territorial Decoration “1941”, Territorial Force Efficiency Medal (GVR) “547502 SPR -A.2.CPL N.V. SADLER RE”. Group mounted as originally worn. ... Accompanied by original warrant for the OBE, 1937 GVIR Coronation Medal certificate.

Order of the British Empire London Gazette 10th December 1940. Distinguished Conduct Medal. London Gazette 11th March 1920.“For gallant service in the field while employed on topographical duties, which have necessitated work under fire in exposed positions. His topographical work has been of the greatest value in producing accurate maps.”Brigadier Norman Vause Sadler OBE DCM was born in 1890 and in 1907 enlisted into the Westminster Dragoons and it was with this regiment he was mobilised in 1914 and landed in Egypt on the 5th November 1914. He saw service at Gallipoli and in 1916 was attached to the Royal Engineers Map department. Returning home he was commissioned in 1920 into the Royal Artillery serving with the 59th Field Brigade. At the outbreak of WW2 now with the rank of Major he commanded 75th Heavy Anti Aircraft (Cinque Ports) posted to defend Dover. His batteries were in constant operation for five moths, counting for the destruction of some 90 aircraft. He was awarded the OBE. Probably due to his knowledge in May 1941 he was posted to Malta and commanded the Royal Artillery on the Island being responsible for the Anti Aircraft guns. He held this post until July 1943 when he was posted back to Malta. Having been promoted to Brigadier he retained this rank on his retirement. In the post WW2 years he continued his links with the TA and was appointed Colonel of his old unit the Cinque Ports Royal Artillery. He died 1953.