C.B.E., Military Cross, WW2, GSM (Clasp – S.E. Asia 1945-46) and 1953 Coronation Medal Group of Ten – Brigadier B. Kingzett, 64th Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery

A CBE, MC group of ten to Brigadier Brian Kingzett, Royal Artillery.

Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire unnamed as issued
Military Cross (Dated 1943) unnamed as issued
1939-45 Star unnamed as issued
Africa Star (Clasp – 1st Army) unnamed as issued
Burma Star unnamed as issued
Italy Star unnamed as issued
WW2 Defence Medal unnamed as issued
1939-45 War Medal unnamed as issued
General Service Medal (Clasp – S.E. Asia 1945-46) named to Lt. Col. B. Kingzett. M.C. R.A.
1953 Coronation Medal unnamed as issued

Citation for the Military Cross:
“Capt, T/Major, A/Lt Col B Kingzett has a record in action of unfailing determination and enthusiasm. While commanding 457 Light Battery he frequently gave most valuable and balanced accounts to Division HQ of the progress of the various actions, disposing of rumours, and displaying a confidence and tactical sense remarkable at the beginning of his first campaign. His attitude under reverses was an example to all. On 25 Dec after he had assumed command of 64 A.TK Regt, He saved by personal leadership under close range fire two 6 pr guns at Longstop Hill, which he had moved up close behind infantry in the assault on that place, and were about to be over-run. He later persuaded a unit of allied troops who were retiring in the general rearward movement, to stand and occupy a covering position. These troops were without ammunition which Lt Col Kingzett proceeded to get from Medjes in borrowed transport. His regiment has improved greatly in its keenness, alertness and military outlook since Lt Col Kingzett assumed command.”

Kingzett was born on 2nd May 1910 in Essex and was educated at Wellington and the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich. In 1930 he gained a commission in the Royal Artillery. He spent his first years with the regiment in India. Kingzett was the commander of 64th Anti-Tank regiment Royal Artillery with the 75th Division, First Army in North Africa.

It was on Christmas Day, 1942 that he was awarded the Military Cross for Gallantry in action on Longstop Hill near Medjes el Bab, he persuaded troops from an American infantry battalion to stand firm and occupy a firing position while he got them ammunition. He continued to command the regiment during the invasion of Sicily and the early part of the campaign on mainland Italy.

In October 1943 he was wounded when his Jeep ran over a mine at the crossing of the river Biferno, Termoli on the Adriatic Coast. He was returned to England where he recovered from his wounds. He became an instructor at the School of Artillery, Larkhill. In June 1945 he was appointed GSO1 RA at the Headquarters of 14th Army in Rangoon. Autumn of 1945 he took command of the 1st Indian Anti-Tank Regiment, serving with this unit in Sumatra, fighting to restore order in the former Dutch East Indies where the Indonesian nationalists were taking control of Japanese held positions and using former Allied Prisoner of War as hostages.

In the post war years he served in various staff roles before being appointed the command of 33 Airborne Light Regiment Royal Artillery. Kingzett had to complete a course in Parachute training to take command of this regiment. He served with this regiment in Cyprus and the Canal Zone. Became college commander at Sandhurst 1954-55, Commander Royal Artillery 42nd Division (TA) at Preston 1959-61, it was during this time he was awarded the C.B.E. His last appointment with the British Army was as Deputy Commander British Troops Malta and Libya 1962-64.

The medals have been professionally cleaned and mounted in a glazed frame by Spink & Son Ltd. Please note that the 1st Army clasp is a copy. All medals are genuine as issued.

Comes with original boxes of issue for the CBE an MC along with his original court mounted ribbons. 

Regiment: Royal Artillery

Era: WW2