69334 Derek MILLS-ROBERTS, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC, MiD, Irish Guards & Commandos

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by dbf, Aug 17, 2011.

  1. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Personal Number: 69334
    Rank: Brigadier
    Name: Derek MILLS-ROBERTS, CBE, DSO & Bar, MC, MiD
    Unit: Irish Guards & Commandos


    London Gazette : 2 October 1936
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34328/page/6277/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS.
    I. G'ds.—
    Derek MILLS ROBERTS (late Offr. Cadet, Oxford Univ. Contgt., Sen. Div., O.T.C.) to be 2nd Lt. 3rd Oct. 1936.

    London Gazette : 2 October 1942
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35729/supplement/4328/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the combined attack on Dieppe:—
    The Military Cross
    Lieutenant (temporary Captain) (acting Major) Derek Mills Roberts (69334), Irish Guards (Liverpool, 8).

    London Gazette : 22 April 1943
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35987/supplement/1846/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa:—
    The Distinguished Service Order.
    Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) Derek Mills Roberts M.C. (69334), Irish Guards (attached to Special Service Troops) (Mold, N. Wales)

    London Gazette : 15 August 1944
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36652/supplement/3750/data.pdf
    FOOT GUARDS.
    2nd Lt. (War Subs. Maj.) D. Mills Roberts, D.S.O., M.C. (69334), from Supp. Res. of Offrs., to be 2nd Lt., 23rd Nov. 1943, retaining his present seniority.

    London Gazette : 22 March 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1557/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to approve that the following be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe:—
    I. G'ds.
    Brig, (temp.) D. Mills Roberts, D.S.O., M.C. (69334).

    London Gazette : 21 June 1945
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37138/supplement/3231/data.pdf
    The KING ia s been graciously pleased to approve the following immediate awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe : —
    Bar to the Distinguished Service Order.
    Brigadier (temporary) Derek MILLS-ROBERTS, D.S.O., M.C. (69334), Irish Guards (Liverpool 8).

    London Gazette : 21 December 1948
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38484/supplement/6618/data.pdf
    TERRITORIAL ARMY .
    Col. D. MILLS-ROBERTS, D.S.O., M.C. (69334), late Foot G'ds, to be actgt Brig., 1st Jan. 1947.

    London Gazette : 1 January 1951
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39104/supplement/6/data.pdf
    The KING has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following promotions in, and appointments to, the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:—
    To be Ordinary Commanders of the. Military Division of the said Most Excellent Order:—
    Brigadier (acting.) Derek MILLS-ROBERTS, D.S.O., M.C. (69334), Territorial Army.

    London Gazette : 16 January 1951
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39122/supplement/303/data.pdf
    TERRITORIAL ARMY.
    The undermentioned Colonels (A/Brigs.) revert to unemployment: —
    D. MILLS-ROBERTS, D.S.O., M.C. (69334), late Ft. Gds., 1st Jan. 1951, and is re-granted the hon. rank of Brig.

    London Gazette : 13 May 1952
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/39538/supplement/2567/data.pdf
    I.G .
    Lt. (War Subs. Lt.-Col.) (Hon. Brig.) D. MILLS-ROBERTS, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (69334) (Hon. Col. Glider P., T.A.), to be Maj., 1st Nov. 1947, retaining the hon. rank of Brig.

    London Gazette : 5 February 1954
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40091/supplement/766/data.pdf
    TERRITORIAL ARMY.
    Col. (Hon.. Brig.) D. MILLS-ROBERTS, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (69334) (Maj. (Hon. Brig.) Res. of Offrs., I.G.), resigns his commn., 1st Jan. 1954.

    London Gazette : 9 November 1954
    https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40321/supplement/6342/data.pdf
    TERRITORIAL ARMY.
    Lt. Sir John Raymond Cuthbert QUILTER, Bt. (14718) to be (Hon. Col. of a T.A. unit, 12th Oct. 1954, vice Brig. Derek MILLS-ROBERTS, C.B.E., D.S.O., M.C. (69334) who has resigned the appt.
     
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2022
  2. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  3. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
    Name Roberts, Derek Mills
    Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
    Service No: 69334
    Regiment: Irish Guards
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia)
    Award: Distinguished Service Order
    Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 22 April 1943
    Date 1943
    Catalogue reference WO 373/1

    78th Division, 5 Corps
    69334 Lieutenant-Colonel Derek MILLS-ROBERTS, M.C. VI COMMANDO & IRISH GUARDS

    On 26th February 1943, VI COMMANDO had just arrived in a wooded mountainous area NORTH of BOU ARADA for the purpose of patrolling the area.

    At dawn the unit was suddenly attacked by a superior German force later supported by tanks. Throughout the operation this officer handled his command in face of superior numbers, with great skill and inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy; later after his unit had been forced to withdraw, and became scattered in the broken mountainous country, he searched the area at great personal risk to collect wounded.

    During the whole of the operation this Officer showed great courage and determination and was an inspiration to his unit.

    Granted Immediate D.S.O.
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  4. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  5. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
    Reference: WO 373/158/231
    Name Mills-Roberts, Derek
    Rank: Colonel
    Service No: 69334
    Regiment: Irish Guards
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: New Year Honours
    Award: Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire
    Date of announcement in London Gazette: 01 January 1951
     
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2020
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

  7. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Erhard Milch - Wikipedia

    Following Hitler's suicide, Milch attempted to flee Germany but was apprehended by Allied forces on the Baltic coast on 4 May 1945. On surrendering, he presented his baton to British Brigadier Derek Mills-Roberts, who was so disgusted and angered by the atrocities he had seen committed when liberating the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp that he brutally broke the baton over Milch's head with several blows and repeatedly beat Milch with a champagne bottle. This incident left Milch with several contusions and a fractured skull.[16]
     
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2019
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    FIELD MARSHAL MONTGOMERY VISITS KIEL
    "Original wartime caption: Brigadier D. Mills-Roberts, DSO., MC., Irish Guards H.Q. 1 Commando Bde. receives Bar to D.S.O."

    Creator: No. 5 Army Film and Photo Section, Army Film and Photographic Unit; (Photographer) Sergeant Morris
    Production date: 1945-06-01
    Catalogue number: BU 7070
    IWM BU 7070.png
     
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  9. brithm

    brithm Senior Member

    Brigadier D. Mills-Roberts, DSO., MC., (Irish Guards), Captain Lawrence and Capt. Griffiths discussing the battle.
    upload_2022-7-12_2-57-12.png

    IWM BU 2331
     
  10. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    I've been looking for a respectable copy of his memoir for some time (but have failed—not my photos):

    s-l400.jpg clash-by-night-hd-image-1493853248.jpg
     
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  11. Jonathan Ball

    Jonathan Ball It's a way of life.

    The note that Derek Mills-Roberts sent to Maud Harden following the award of a posthumous VC to her husband, Eric Harden.

    letter from mills roberts 14 march.jpg
     
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  12. Guy Hudson

    Guy Hudson Looker-upper

    I recently bought a signed copy of Peter Young's 'The British Army 1642-1970', it was a surprise to see whose collection it had come from.
    Screenshot 2022-07-12 at 10.49.14.png Screenshot 2022-07-12 at 10.49.51.png
    Screenshot 2022-07-12 at 10.50.14.png
     
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