SAS Badged Lt Col

[Mike Jackson]

A portrait of a Lt Col in SD (badged Middlesex Regt (?)) with SAS wings on left breast of jacket. Who might this be?

http://www.specialauctionservices.co...7/lot0671.html

[Postwarden]

The DSO and EM(T) ribbons might help ID him.

Jon

[Hoot]

DSO and GM should narrow it down.

[Postwarden]

Thank you. I was having trouble with the second medal ribbon.

Jon

The medals shows him one 'hardcore' dude,
DSO, GM, 1939-45 Star, Italy Star, Germany Star, Africa Star, Territorial Service plus others i can't make out.
Just a guess but possibly worth a look 130652 Captain James Moore Ratcliffe DSO, GM. The Middlesex Regiment served SBS/SAS during WW2, fits the medals. Regards Mark

[Postwarden]

The unique combination of DSO and GM identify this officer as Lt Col James Moore Ratcliffe, DSO,GM, Middlesex Regiment.

Originally a POW in Italy he escaped and later led a group of Italian partisans in action against the Germans. There is no mention of the SAS in his documents so the wing is probably raiding forces rather than SAS.

Captain Ratcliffe was captured whilst fighting with the parisans and then imprisoned in Germany where he won his GM for bomb disposal while a POW in Oflag 79 in Brunswick. His DSO recommendation also notes that he was on the Oflag 79 escape committee and responsible for the safety of all secret equipment.

One hell of a soldier.

Jon

[Mike Jackson]

Well done everybody! I wonder if one of the hard-core SF collectors amongst us will be bidding on this unique item. Mike

[Staffsyeoman]

Coming late to the party, but he also has a Mention in Dispatches.

[Mike B]

A little more background here

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tommy_Macpherson
MacPherson was also part of the four man reconnaissance team pre Operation Flipper (which Ratcliffe led being a few days? or so more senior than MacPherson)

Hammered at £120