拍品專文
Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Buckingham Palace and War Office forwarding letters for the M.C. (the latter dated 27.3.1947); an official notice requesting that the recipient report to 5th Training Regiment, R.A.C. (dated 20.10.1941); two confidential G.H.Q., Central Mediterranean Forces letters regarding the recipient's appointments to Temporary Captain and Acting Major (dated 31.12.1945 and 7.3.1946); several letters of congratulation for his M.C., including one from Major-General Ward, C.O. of 4 British Infantry Division (dated 5.10.1944); War Office letter regarding pending release from military service (dated 21.2.1946); and a fine selection of wartime photographs.
M.C. London Gazette 7.12.1944. Recommendation states 'On 28 July 1944, this Officer was proceeding to Mount Scalari with three Sherman Tanks and three Churchill Tanks, taking food, water and ammunition to two Companies of the Black Watch which had been isolated and twice strongly counter-attacked, and whose ammunition was running extremely short. During the journey one Sherman was blown up on a mine and two Churchills slipped their tracks. Immediately Lieutenant Rowe, realising the seriousness of the situation, loaded all the stores on to his tank, which was the remaining Churchill. Then, ordering the Shermans to protect his left flank, he himself proceeded on foot, leading his tank through very thick and mine-infested country, which was under fire from enemy mortars and Spandaus, until he succeeded in delivering the vital supplies to the Black Watch Companies. His prompt action and disregard for his personal safety was solely responsible for restoring a very grave situation. Not content with this, however, Lieutenant Rowe, with infectious enthusiasm, as soon as the Companies had received their ammunition, then led them forward to attack the enemy, completely routing three Companies and killing many Germans with his own tank. Throughout, Lieutenant Rowe's actions were beyond praise. His zeal and keenness to get to grips with the enemy were an inspiration to the many who watched the action and to those who took part'.
Acting Major Reginald Cecil Rowe, M.C., a Hounslow man, was born in 1909 and educated at Isleworth County School. Joining up in September 1940, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Armoured Corps in the following year and fought in North Africa prior to his M.C.-winning exploits in Italy. Rowe died in Johannesburg in March 1972.
M.C. London Gazette 7.12.1944. Recommendation states 'On 28 July 1944, this Officer was proceeding to Mount Scalari with three Sherman Tanks and three Churchill Tanks, taking food, water and ammunition to two Companies of the Black Watch which had been isolated and twice strongly counter-attacked, and whose ammunition was running extremely short. During the journey one Sherman was blown up on a mine and two Churchills slipped their tracks. Immediately Lieutenant Rowe, realising the seriousness of the situation, loaded all the stores on to his tank, which was the remaining Churchill. Then, ordering the Shermans to protect his left flank, he himself proceeded on foot, leading his tank through very thick and mine-infested country, which was under fire from enemy mortars and Spandaus, until he succeeded in delivering the vital supplies to the Black Watch Companies. His prompt action and disregard for his personal safety was solely responsible for restoring a very grave situation. Not content with this, however, Lieutenant Rowe, with infectious enthusiasm, as soon as the Companies had received their ammunition, then led them forward to attack the enemy, completely routing three Companies and killing many Germans with his own tank. Throughout, Lieutenant Rowe's actions were beyond praise. His zeal and keenness to get to grips with the enemy were an inspiration to the many who watched the action and to those who took part'.
Acting Major Reginald Cecil Rowe, M.C., a Hounslow man, was born in 1909 and educated at Isleworth County School. Joining up in September 1940, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant into the Royal Armoured Corps in the following year and fought in North Africa prior to his M.C.-winning exploits in Italy. Rowe died in Johannesburg in March 1972.