Everard Poole medal group

[milhistry]

I'm interested in obtaining a photograph of the medal group / ribbon bars of Major General W H Everard Poole. GOC 6th South African Armoured Division 1943-45 & later Deputy Chief of General Staff.

Any help appreciated. Thanks.

[milhistry]

I've managed to find this late war/early post war photo of Poole. Can't seem to make out some of the ribbons. Any help appreciated.

[milhistry]

It looks to me like

CB,CBE,DSO, ??, 39-45 star

Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, 1937 Geo VI Coronation, Geo V jubille, ??, ??

Also found a wartime sketch. Any ideas?

[Herman]

The last ribbon is a US Legion of Merit, Officer grade.

The Africa Star has an '8' attached to it and the War Medal 1939-1945 has an oakleaf of 'Mentioned in Despatches' attached to it.

Herman

[sabrigade]

His orders and medals are on display at the SA National Museum of Military History in Saxonwold, Johannesburg. (Name may have changed for the museum).

[Arthur R]

The ribbon between the DSO and the 39-45 Star is probably the Order of St John. Maj Gen Poole was listed as a knight of the order in 1949, and he would no doubt have been a member of the order for some time before that.

Edited December 17, 2011 by Arthur R

[milhistry]

Thanks everyone! Mysteries solved! I was not aware that he was a KStJ as well. I've found a reference to him being made a Commander of the Legion of Merit at the victory pde in Monza. I assume the bar on the ribbon in the top photograph is the device shown here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legion_of_Merit

[Herman]

Hello again milhistry,

Indeed it is a Commanders grade Legion of Merit. Not an Officer.

Good luck with your research.

Herman