‍A Very Good & Historically Interesting North Africa 8th Army, Italy Campaign, M.B.E., W.I.A. T.D., First Female Pioneer, Brother & Sister Medal Groups awarded to Major George Ian Bray, 46th and 49th Company Royal Signals, and Junior Commander Alison Jane Bray, Auxilliary Terittorial Service.

George Ian Bray was born on the 13th June 1918, at Adel, West Yorkshire, the son of Colonel (Retired) George Bray, Royal Signals, and Constance Bray, Causeway House, Adel, West Yorkshire. ‍

George was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals, 49th (West Riding) Divisional Signals, Uppingham School Contingent, Junior Division, O.T.C., as a 2nd Lieutenant on the 31st October 1936, London Gazette, 30th October 1936 refers.

During WW2, George Bray was saw active service as part of the 8th Army in North Africa, where he was involved in ‘Operation Crusader’ in late December 1941, and then during the retreat in January 1942, the Battle of Gazala in May, and then the defence of El Alamein in July.

He was also present during ‘Operation Avalanche’, the crucial allied amphibious landings at Salerno, Italy, September 9th, 1943. During this operation, whilst serving with the 46th Divisional Signals, George was wounded in action, spending 4 months in hospital recovering. George was also present during the battle for the Gothic Line in August 1944.

For his gallant and distinguished service during the Italy campaign, George was awarded the M.B.E. - London Gazette 13th December 1945 refers. ‍

The recommendation for the M.B.E. reads as follows - ‍

‘Major Bray has been OC 3 Coy 1 Div Sigs from Oct 44 to Jul 45 and as such has been responsible for the technical efficiency of the Sig Sect attached to the Inf Bdes, Recce Regt and Div Engrs of the 1st Division, from the advance through the GOTHIC LINE in ITALY to the present time. During this period Major Bray has displayed outstanding zeal and ability in the performance of his duties even under the most adverse conditions, and his untiring energy and devotion to duty have contributed largely to the efficiency with which communications have been maintained by the Sig Secs of the RAC, RE, and Infantry and units of 1st DIVISION. ‍

Before joining 1 Div Sigs, Major Bray was OC 3 Coy 46 Div Sigs; he took part in the landing at SALERNO with the latter formation but was wounded in the early stages of the operation and was evacuated. After a period of four months in hospital, Major Bray joined the staff of GSO, AFHQ in Dec 43 and for 10 months carried out the duties of GSO 2 (Ops) with great zeal and ability.

A keen Territorial officer in 49 (WR) Div Sigs Oct 36, Major Bray has shown outstanding and marked devotion of duty during the whole period of the war, and both by his personal example and his cheerful disposition has inspired those with whom he has worked with and a spirit of determination to get the job done at all costs.’ ‍

‍Major Bray was awarded the Territorial Efficiency Decoration, and 1st clasp during 1950, London Gazette 4th August 1950 refers, and he passed away during April 1985, at Claro, West Riding, Yorkshire.

The medals are mounted for display, sold with a good file of copied research confirming all of the above (also confirmation that the medals and clasps are correct and his full medal entitlement), original T.D. & M.B.E boxes and postal box, original uniformed photograph (including with his sister Alison), and are as follows,

‍The Order of the British Empire, 2nd type (Military Division), Members Breast Badge; 1939/45 Star; Africa Star, clasp 8th ARMY; Italy Star; Defence Medal; 1939/45 War Medal; G.VI Efficiency Decoration, integral ribbon bar, TERRITORIAL (mounting pin on the reverse neatly removed for mounting), reverse dated 1950, 1st clasp reverse dated 1950, all medals unnamed as issued.

‍Alison Jane Bray, the sister of George Ian Bray, was born on 22nd August 1914, at Adel, Yorkshire, and later graduated from London University with a degree in science studies. ‍

‍In February 1938, Alison left the family’s country home at Adel, near Leeds, to become the very first British women to work as a Frontier Nursing Courier for the Kentucky Nursing Service in the USA. Based on the Frontier, she would work alongside a team of other nursing/courier staff out of a log cabin, for two month periods, delivering supplies and messages on horseback, to nurses working out in the wilds. Based on a series of original letters, reports, and telegrams (included with the research), Alison served at least three times on the Frontier. ‍

‍Alison travelled extensively throughout her working life, spending time in South America (Chile & Argentina), Uganda, Tanzania, Greece, Italy and France, as well as several other locations in the USA.

‍During WW2, Alison was a member of the Auxiliary Territorial Service, serving as a Junior Commander, London Gazette 29th March 1940 refers. The 1939 Census lists her as a Junior Commander 20th W. R. Company, and her father as a retired Colonel, Royal Signals. ‍

‍The medals are mounted for display, sold with a good file of copied research, an archive of original letters/reports, telegrams, named event invites, instruction booklet, Kentucky Nursing Service check list, three original black and white photographs (please see below images) - Uniformed group photo, Alison is seated front row, 2nd from the right, and George is standing, middle row, 6th from the left; ‘Civi’ group photo, Alison is standing far right; Wedding photo, Alison is 2nd on the right.  It was assumed that the Groom was her brother George, but his collar insignia are not those of the Royal Signals - the medals are as follows - Defence Medal; 1939/45 War Medal; Women’s Voluntary Service Medal (with Royal Mint box of issue), all unnamed as issued.