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

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.

 

Recommendation for Award for Roberts, Derek Mills Rank: Acting Major ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/93/828
Name Roberts, Derek Mills
Rank: Acting Major
Regiment: Commando
Theatre of Combat or Operation: The London Omnibus List For gallant and distinguished Services in the Field
Award: Military Cross
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 22 October 1942

 

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.

 

Recommendation for Award for Mills-Roberts, Derek Rank: Lieutenant Colonel ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/54/222
Name Mills-Roberts, Derek
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 69334
Regiment: Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Bar to Distinguished Service Order
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 21 June 1945

 

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

 

London Gazette : 22 March 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1548/data.pdf

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1557/data.pdf

 

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]

 

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

 

Brigadier D. Mills-Roberts, DSO., MC., (Irish Guards), Captain Lawrence and Capt. Griffiths discussing the battle.

IWM BU 2331

 

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

 

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

 

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.

 

WO 373; From France: 10 May 1940 - 1 January 1947 | The National Archives

Legion d'Honneur, Croix de Guerre avec Palme

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