GARDNER Philip J. — A.L.s from Philip 'Pip' Gardner VC.

1997. Single sheet measuring 6.0 x 6.0 ins (approx. 15.0 x15.0 cms), on blank stationery, and dated 18 June 1997; near fine state. THE LETTER IS WRITTEN, DATED AND SIGNED ENTIRELY IN 'PIP' GARDNER'S HAND, AND IS SOLD WITH A POOR QUALITY PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT. Philip John 'Pip' Gardner was gazetted for the Victoria Cross on 10 February 1942. The citation reads: 'On 23 November 1931 at Tobruk, Libya, Captain Gardner took two tanks to the rescue of two armoured cars of the King's Dragoon Guards, which were out of action and under heavy attack. Whilst one tank gave covering fire the captain dismounted from the other, hitched a tow rope to one of the cars, then lifted into it an officer, both of whose legs had been blown off. The tow rope broke, so Captain Gardner returned to the armoured car, but was immediately wounded in the arm and leg. Despite this he managed to transfer the wounded man to the second tank and returned to British lines through intense shell-fire'. Philip John 'Pip' Gardner (1914-2003) was serving with 4RTR in 32nd Tank Brigade during Operation CRUSADER, designed to destroy the bulk of Rommel's armour and force him to abandon his siege of Tobruk.