A Union of South Africa Second World War 'East & North Africa' campaign medal group of 4: Corporal D. P. Brussow, No 1. Motor Cycle Company, late 1st Armoured Car Company

- The 1939-45 Star (42743 D. P. Brussow)
- The Africa Star (42743 D. P. Brussow)
- War Medal (42743 D. P. Brussow)
- Union of South Africa: Africa Service Medal (42743 D. P. Brussow)

Important: The recipients unique service number was in the regimental block 42701-42800 allocated to the 1st Armoured Car Company

Note: South African personnel of the Second World War era retained the same service number that they received on enlistment for the rest of their career, irrespective of the transfers to other units or services

The recipient is reported to have subsequently served with No 1 Motor Cycle Company

No 1 Motor Cycle Company: Following the outbreak of the Second World War, two South African motorcycle companies, Nos 1 and 2, were formed by the then recognised and previously named ‘Armoured Vehicle Battalion’ of the Union Defence Forces. By June 1940, when Italy declared war against the Allies, a third motorcycle company, No 3, had been formed

In 1940, The Union Defence Forces ordered 156 x 1200 cc Harley-Davidsons with side-cars & 2,350 x 750 cc machines, followed in April 1941 by another huge order of 1,000 x 1200 cc Harleys with side-cars & another 1,000 x 750 cc solo machines. In total 4,500 Harley-Davidsons were purchased by South Africa to help fight the war

Nos 1 and 2 Motorcycle Companies sailed from Durban to Mombasa. Kenya Colony, in, September 1940. Campaign headquarters were established at Gilgil, north-west of Nairobi. Addis Ababa, the capital of Abyssinia (now Ethiopia), was captured in April 1941 and Italian East Africa surrendered the following month. Subsequent service in East Africa, saw the deployment of the Motor Cycle Company to the island of Madagascar where the Motor Cyclists worked in close co-operation with the South African Armoured Car Company's

After the end of the East African campaign part of No 1 Motorcycle Company left with No 2 Motorcycle Company for the Middle East in September 1941, where they were seconded to the South African Armoured Cars for participation in the operations against the German General Rommel in Egypt and Libya in the Western Desert of North Africa. No 1 Motorcycle Company, as part of the 1st South African Brigade, was shipped to Alexandria in Egypt via the Eritrean port of Massawa. From there, they were assembled further westwards in Mersa Matruh. In the battle of Sidi Rezegh in November 1941, motorcycles played a supportive role. Despatch riders volunteered and assisted with casualties and time and again rode their motorcycles under a hail of lead and shrapnel returning with wounded men on their carriers to First Aid stations in the field. The motorcyclists also helped to thwart Rommel’s plan for the conquest of Libya and Egypt when, serving with the 1st South African Division, they assisted in turning the tide in favour of the Allies in North Africa at El Alamein in October/November 1942.

Condition: GVF

Code: 21756