A Collection of Awards to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

A post-War 1960 Military Division B.E.M. group of four awarded to Sergeant W. R. Ryer, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached 2nd Battalion, The Queen’s Own Nigeria Regiment British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (14461821 Sgt. David W. R. Ryer, R.E.M.E.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue, Regular Army (14461821 Sgt. D. W. R. Ryer. B.E.M. REME.) mounted for wear, light contacts marks overall, and edge cut to last, very fine (4) £200-£240 --- B.E.M. London Gazette 3 June 1960. The original recommendation states: ‘Sergeant Ryer joined the army in 1945 in the RASC. In 1946 he saw service in Greece and continued to serve with the Middle East Land Forces until September 1949. He was promoted Cpl in September 1948 and Sgt a year later. He returned to the United Kingdom in September 1949. He voluntarily transferred to the REME in 1951, and came to Nigeria in August 1953 serving with Nos 1 and 3 Command Wksps before joining this battalion in March 1954. Since then he has twice extended his service to enable him to complete the task which he had set himself of making his Nigerian successors completely competent in their duties before he leaves them to manage their own affairs. Sergeant Ryer is in charge of the technical repair and maintenance of all vehicles and other mechanical equipment on charge to 2nd Queen’s Own Nigeria Regiment. His untiring energy, and will to succeed, with which he has infected his subordinates, has improved the standard of vehicle mastership in this unit beyond recognition. It is due to his efforts, and his alone, that a very high standard has been attained despite tremendous difficulties caused by the steady reduction in the amount of European assistance and supervision available. At the same time as making this great contribution to day to day administration Sgt Ryer has devoted practically all the very little spare time left to him to instructing Nigerian NCOs and other ranks in their technical duties. This has gradually lead to the assumption of responsibilities by his subordinates so successfully that a very high standard can now be maintained in his absence. The admiration and respect which he has gained among Nigerian NCOs and other ranks, and the sound grounding he has given them by his untiring efforts for the later managing of their own affairs, is worthy of the best traditions of the Colonial Forces and deserving of the highest recognition.’