AUSTEN, Alexander Fred

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Known as: 
Bunny
Rank: 
Company Quartermaster Sergeant (later Hon. Lt Col. )
Unit / Base: 
Special Service (Commando) Group, Brigade, and Brigade Signals
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Corps of Signals
Service: 
Army
Number: 
2320292 & 360980
Honours & Awards: 
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
British Empire Medal (BEM)
Company Quartermaster Sergeant Alexander Austen, 1st Special Service Brigade Signal Troop, was awarded the British Empire Medal in recognition of his exemplary service [1].
Recommendation including Record of Service
1929 enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals.
1941/42 at Special Training Centre Lochailort on operational and instructional work. Promoted CQMS [2].
"July 1943 joined 1st Special Service Brigade Signal Troop since which he has been in charge of all technical and other equipment. Such operational success that this Troop has enjoyed has been largely due to the efficient and painstaking manner in which he has organised the equipment of this Unit." [2].
"The complete equipping of the raid parties of 'Hardtack', 'Manacle', and 'Tarbrush', with Signal Stores and tested Signal Operations equipment, was almost entrirely due to the efforts of this excellent WO11." [2].
[above written by Maj. Gen. R.G. Sturgess] [endorsed by Maj. Gen. Laycock, Chief of Combined Operations].
  • 12 January 1946 commissioned Second Lieutenant (Royal Army Ordnance Corps) [3].
  • 19 July 1947 promoted Captain (R.A.O.C.) [4].
  • 24 November 1948 promoted Major (R.A.O.C.) [5].
  • 4 April 1952 appointed M.B.E. (Military Division) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Malaya during the period from 1st July to 31st December, 1951 [6].
  • 20 November 1961 retired and granted honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel (R.A.O.C.) [7].
Sources
[1] London Gazette 36866, page 35.
[2] National Archives file WO373/157/85.
[3] London Gazette 37467, page 957.
[4] London Gazette 38051, page 3936.
[5] London Gazette 38618, page 2552.
[6] London Gazette 39507, page 1879.
[7] London Gazette 42517, page 8439.
 
Archive pages : 
Commando Training WW2
Brigade Signals
Malaysia and Brunei

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