The nearest sergeant has the Africa Star which was actually authorised in 1943, ahead of most of the other campaign stars, thus it is not unusual to see the ribbon being worn alone. The medals themselves of course didnt come along until later. Interestingly the men are wearing the 5th Army formation sign which was worn by both British and American troops in Italy.
There cant be many photographs of major generals wearing regiment flashes,I suspect he may have been the first Commandant General of the RAF Regiment (he bears a striking resemblance to Arthur Lowe, as Captain Mainwaring of Dad's Army!)
By the way when I was in the regiment in the 60s/early 70s we never talked about mudgards, always flashes, I assume the term has come into common usage since I left