An Interesting WW2 ‘P.O.W. Intelligence’ M.B.E. Group of 6 awarded to Captain John Nesbitt White-Abbott, Royal Devon Yeomanry & Royal Artillery, who was mentioned in dispatches before being taken prisoner of war in North Africa in 1942. Being sent into captivity in Germany at Oflag 79, he was later awarded the M.B.E. in recognition of his service as Intelligence Officer in his P.O.W. camp, comprising: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Military Division, Member’s (M.B.E.) breast badge, in silver, privately engraved to reverse of crown suspension ‘Capt. J. N. White-Abbott R.D.Y.A.’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the latter with bronze ‘M.I.D.’ oak leaf; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 2nd issue, reverse officially dated ‘1950’, with integral top ‘Territorial’ riband bar; Group swing-mounted on bar, toned, good very fine (6) M.B.E.: London Gazette: 18 April 1946 - ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.’ (The original recommendation states: ‘Capt. Abbott was captured in the Western Desert on 30 June 1942 and as a result was imprisoned in Italy and Germany. Throughout the whole of his captivity, he took a keen and active interest in Intelligence work and from June 1944 until the collapse of Germany he was responsible for the collection and collation of information at Oflag 79. He carried out these duties with such efficiency and enthusiasm that he has received the commendation of the Senior British Officer and five of his colleagues.’)M.I.D.: London Gazette: 24 June 1943: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East during the period 1st May, 1942 to 22nd October 1942.’Territorial Decoration: London Gazette: 21 April 1950John Nesbitt White-Abbott was born on 18 March 1914, the son of Edward John White Abbott, a literary agent who was killed at Festubert in 1915 while serving with the 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Educated at Eton College, ‘John’ was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery (Territorial Army) on 12 May 1939 for service in WW2. Joining the 142 (Royal Devon Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, he was serving as a Lieutenant in the 384th Battery on 1 September 1939, at the time of its embodiment. White-Abbott fought in North Africa and was awarded a mention in dispatches, and appointed Captain (Temp) on 27 April 1941, before being taken prisoner-of-war in the Western Desert in June 1942. It appears that he was attached to 50th Division H.Q. in North Africa at this time.Sent into captivity in German at Oflag 79 near Waggum, Brunswick, White-Abbott appears to have become an important intelligence figure within the camp itself (as shown in his original recommendation for the M.B.E.), collecting and collating information while in captivity. The camp received men transferred from Italy, and British& Commonwealth officers from the Crete and North Africa campaigns. White-Abbott remained here until its liberation by the U.S. Ninth Army on 12 April 1945. The original recommendation for his M.B.E. gives his unit as Royal Devon Yeomanry, H.Q. 50 Div, whereas both of his London Gazette entries simply list his unit as Royal Regiment of Artillery. It should be noted that the Royal Devon Yeomanry saw no overseas action as a regiment until the Sicily landings in July 1943. He retired from further service on 18 March 1964, having attained the age limit. Offered with a quantity of related research, and original M.B.E. award recommendation.

Estimate: GBP 400 - 600