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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 568

The exceptional North West Europe Immediate D.C.M. group of five awarded to Corporal B. J. Shaw, Essex Regiment and 2nd Special Air Service Regiment, a confirmed member of 'Frankforce', who rallied his platoon despite a trio of enemy counter attacks, driving off three Armoured Cars with grenades alone when his position was all but overrun

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (14586565 A. Cpl. B. J. Shaw. Essex. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; France, Croix de Guerre, reverse undated, as manufactured in the U.K. for the Free French Government, good very fine (5)

D.C.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The recommendation for an Immediate award states:

'On 27th September 1944 at Ryckevorsel, B Company were responsible for defending the left flank of the Battalion area. In the early morning the enemy launched their third counter-attack against the company.

The attack was preceded by heavy mortar and shell fire and it was later discovered that the strength of the enemy was approximately three companies, with three armoured cars. Corporal Shaw was commanding a section in the forward platoon of B Company. After an hour and a half of the attack, the platoon Headquarters and the rear section were overrun, thus causing the two remaining sections to be cut off from the remainder of the Company.

Corporal Shaw, who commanded one of these sections, immediately assumed command of both. He co-ordinated the fire of the Bren gun and positioned the riflemen to form a firm base. The first wave of enemy, attacking frontally, were killed or wounded from approximately 80 yards range. By this time only one Bren gun remained in action and ammunition was running low. The enemy then attacked his left flank with three armoured cars, whilst enemy infantry infiltrated to the rear to within grenade range.

There was no more ammunition left so Corporal Shaw directed the remaining Bren at the three armoured cars, blowing the tyres of one and causing the withdrawal of all three. The enemy infantry were held off with grenades.

Throughout this engagement Corporal Shaw personally directed the fire of all weapons and it was undoubtedly through his fine example and determined leadership that the two sections held firm to their positions until the arrival of tanks, fighting patrols, and ammunition eased the position for them.

His courage was an inspiration to all who worked with him.'

Bertram John Shaw was born on 14 November 1924 at Rochester, Kent and was a machine hand labourer upon his enlistment in the Middlesex Regiment on 15 April 1943. Posted to the 24th Machine Gunner's Training Centre on 26 May 1943, he was punished failing to salute an officer, earning 10 days confined to barracks. Having passed training as a Bren Gunner he was posted to the 8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment on 18 August 1943.

Shaw served in Normandy from 17 June 1944 but was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment on 21 June 1944. Involved in the advance through France and into the low countries, he was awarded the D.C.M. for his gallantry in action at Ryckevorsel in September.

With his talents clearly in demand, Shaw was transferred to the Army Air Corps on 29 March 1945, serving overseas from 10 April 1945. It was during this period of time he became a member of the 2nd Special Air Service Regiment serving as part of 'Frankforce' under Lieutenant-Colonel Brian Franks. The unit was assigned to support the British Guards Armoured Division in the Dortmund-Ems Canal area and predominantly operated in Willis jeeps. With the end of the war in Europe, Shaw found himself sent to Norway on 15 May 1945 as a part of Operation Doomsday, which entailed the British 1st Airborne Division acting as a policing and military force after the German defeat. Posted home with his regiment in August 1945, Shaw was clearly tired of the lack of action for he went absent without leave on 1 October 1945 while serving with the 2nd Special Air Service Regiment. He was duly granted 14 days confined to barracks.

Despite the disbandment of the Regiment later the same month, it was arranged for Shaw to be invested with his Distinguished Conduct Medal at the 2nd Special Air Service Regimental Headquarters at Halstead on 4 October 1945. His Croix de Guerre remains unconfirmed and was most likely awarded in the field with the Special Air Service Regiment.

Transferred to the 17th Battalion, Parachute Regiment and posted to the Middle East on 25 March 1946, Shaw saw no further active serviceut and was discharged on 2 September 1947. He found work as a taxi driver in Sittingbourne, Kent and died on 8 March 1983; sold together with copied research.

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Sold for
£4,500