The Immediate North African Military Cross group of six medals

The Immediate North African Military Cross group of six medals, awarded to Lieutenant Bruce Robertson Hobbs, 9th King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, Queen's Own Yorkshire Dragoons, a Grand National winning jockey and later respected racehorse trainer: Military Cross (1943), 1939-45, Africa, with 8th Army Clasp, Italy stars; Defence and War medals, brooch mounted. Very fine. (6)

Military Cross, London Gazette, 19 August, 1943. "On 4th May 43 at Argoub El Megas this officer crawled to the top of a hill occupied on the reverse side by the enemy in order to direct Mortar Fire and observe the tanks and army. He had to go so close to the enemy that it was not safe for him to speak on telephone. He therefore climbed up and down all day to pass messages over his wireless at the bottom of the hill. Through his efforts and skill, effective fire was brought to bear on the party of enemy tanks which could not be seen from any other position. On 5th May 43 this Officer again carried out O.P. work in the same area and under the same conditions throughout the whole day. He again did invaluable work. On May 11th 43 a Sqn of our tanks was operating as a flank guard. The carrier Troop under the Comd of Lt. Hobbs was put under their command. Frequently under heavy automatic fire from the enemy tanks and M.G.'s, this Officer carried out recces, ahead of, and to the flank of our tanks, and again acted in the role of O.P. It was through his initiative and determination and complete disregard of his personal safety that our tanks were able to successfully engage those of the enemy."

Bruce Robertson Hobbs (1920-2005), who was born on Long Island, New York, was the youngest, at just 17, and tallest jockey to win the Grand National, in 1938, on Battleship. He was the first jockey to win three Grand Nationals in one year, being successful in the Welsh and in Long Island's Cedarhurst version. He broke his back in a fall later the same year.

Sold with copy of recommendation and copy of relevant pages from "No Secret so Close", 1984, by Tim Fitzgeorge-Parker; also obituary from The Independent.