Lieutenant Colonel Albert Victor Emery ERD* TD* Royal Signals
The Man Albert Victor Emery was born on Monday 27th April 1914 in King’s Norton, Birmingham, son of Albert Edward a Metal Worker and Clara nee Taylor. He had at least one sibling, Ronald F born on 25th August 1920.
In July 1934 aged 20 and following his education, Albert joined the Post Office as an Assistant Superintendent of Traffic in Birmingham, this appearing in the London Gazette of 7th September 1934. He lived with his parents at 37 Durham Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham and on Saturday 10th October 1936 married Elizabeth Mary Edwards, a Saleswoman in St John’s Church, Sparkhill.
Albert was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals, Postal Service as 2nd Lieutenant with service number 96145 on 12th August 1939 and mobilized in readiness for World War II that began on 3rd September. The 1939 Register shows him and Elizabeth living at 8 Cliffe Road, Carlton and he is listed as Post Office Assistant Superintendent and 2nd Lt Royal Signals.
In July 1934 aged 20 and following his education, Albert joined the Post Office as an Assistant Superintendent of Traffic in Birmingham, this appearing in the London Gazette of 7th September 1934. He lived with his parents at 37 Durham Road, Sparkhill, Birmingham and on Saturday 10th October 1936 married Elizabeth Mary Edwards, a Saleswoman in St John’s Church, Sparkhill.
Albert was commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals, Postal Service as 2nd Lieutenant with service number 96145 on 12th August 1939 and mobilized in readiness for World War II that began on 3rd September. The 1939 Register shows him and Elizabeth living at 8 Cliffe Road, Carlton and he is listed as Post Office Assistant Superintendent and 2nd Lt Royal Signals.
Albert served at home during the war with the Postal Service and was promoted to War Substantive Captain and Major. Following the War he was awarded the Defence Medal and War Medal 1939-45 and transferred to the Supplementary Reserve of Officers in January 1946. On 9th May 1947 he was awarded the United States Bronze Star Medal for ‘Meritorious Service in Support of Military Operations from February – September 1944’. The citation stated that ‘he was of invaluable assistance to the US Signals Corps in the UK in the months before and after D-Day, as advisor and controller of the GPO’, this appearing in the London Gazette of 14th May 1948.
Albert and Elizabeth were now living at 10 Avondale Road, Carlton. He continued working for the Post Office until his retirement.
He was appointed as Captain on 9th December 1947 with seniority backdated to 12th September 1942 and on 12th August 1949 transferred from the SR to the Territorial Army, Royal Corps of Signals as Major with seniority dated 9th December 1947. In 1953, Albert was awarded the Coronation Medal and in the London Gazette of 1st December the same year, his Army Emergency Reserve Decoration and clasp and subsequently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
In the London Gazette of 20th May 1958 Albert was awarded his Efficiency Decoration ‘Territorial’ and first clasp in the LG of 9th July 1963.
On 1st March 1964 aged 50 he was transferred from the active list into the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, effectively retiring from service.
In later life Albert and Elizabeth lived at 41 Dale View Road, Nottingham and he passed away on 15th November 1981 aged 67.
Albert and Elizabeth were now living at 10 Avondale Road, Carlton. He continued working for the Post Office until his retirement.
He was appointed as Captain on 9th December 1947 with seniority backdated to 12th September 1942 and on 12th August 1949 transferred from the SR to the Territorial Army, Royal Corps of Signals as Major with seniority dated 9th December 1947. In 1953, Albert was awarded the Coronation Medal and in the London Gazette of 1st December the same year, his Army Emergency Reserve Decoration and clasp and subsequently promoted to Lieutenant Colonel.
In the London Gazette of 20th May 1958 Albert was awarded his Efficiency Decoration ‘Territorial’ and first clasp in the LG of 9th July 1963.
On 1st March 1964 aged 50 he was transferred from the active list into the Territorial Army Reserve of Officers, effectively retiring from service.
In later life Albert and Elizabeth lived at 41 Dale View Road, Nottingham and he passed away on 15th November 1981 aged 67.
The Story The medals awarded to Albert Victor Emery were acquired from Noonan’s on 17th January 2024. The were of interest because of the double long service combination, not a first in his collection, but the first with the United States Bronze Star Medal, confirmed in the London Gazette. A quite unique combination.
The slightly unusual name enabled a brief biography to be completed from the London Gazette, Ancestry.UK, wills and newspaper archives.
An interesting addition to the collection.
The slightly unusual name enabled a brief biography to be completed from the London Gazette, Ancestry.UK, wills and newspaper archives.
An interesting addition to the collection.
Medal Details:
- Defence Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
- War Medal 1939-45: Unnamed as awarded.
- Coronation Medal 1953: Unnamed as awarded.
- Army Emergency Reserve Decoration: 1953 Clasp: 1953
- Efficiency Decoration: 1958 Clasp 1963
- US Bronze Star Medal: Unnamed as awarded.
This page last updated 21 Apr 24
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