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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 389

The exceptional Second World War 'North-West Europe' operations immediate M.C., immediate D.C.M. group of six awarded to Captain G. E. A. Townsend, Devonshire Regiment, late Middlesex Regiment, who was originally decorated for his gallantry in the 11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry at Rauray in late June 1944, when without hesitation, he assumed command of his Platoon when his commander and all N.C.O.s had become casualties

Destined for higher command, he was commissioned before adding the M.C. to his accolades for subsequent acts of bravery with the 2nd Devons in the Nijmegen sector in January 1945, on which occasion he was severely wounded whilst striding out 'alone to deal with a sniper' - his remarkable feat is believed to be unique to the British Army in this theatre of war

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (6213268 Pte. G. E. A. Townsend, Devon. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style as originally worn, contact marks and a little polished, very fine (6)

M.C. London Gazette 12 April 1945. The original recommendation - for an immediate award - states:

‘At Schilburg on 18 January 1945, 2nd Lieutenant Townsend was commanding a platoon in the attack on that town. With great determination he led his platoon forward to positions dominated by the enemy and under heavy fire from M.Gs and snipers.

When he had succeeded in getting the platoon into position, he, in full view of the enemy, went from section to section urging them to greater efforts and pointed out targets. Later he went forward alone to deal with an enemy sniper who was causing casualties and was shot in the arm.

In spite of great pain and temporary paralysis of his arm, this officer insisted on remaining with his platoon to fight the battle. Throughout the engagement he showed great gallantry and devotion to duty and was a source of inspiration to all who saw him.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The original recommendation - for an immediate award - states:

‘At Rauray, on 28 June 1944, Private Townsend's Platoon came under heavy machine-gun fire whilst attacking the village. The Platoon Commander, Platoon Sergeant and two Section Commanders became casualties. Private Townsend took control of the Platoon and led them onto the objective. Later certain enemy tried to infiltrate. Private Townsend organised a quick local counter-attack and drove them back. Throughout this period and later when on the defensive, this man showed a fine example of leadership and complete disregard of personal danger.’

George Eugene Atherton Townsend was born in 1923 and originally enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment in May 1940, in which capacity he was employed on home defence duties, but, on qualifying as an Infantry Weapons Instructor, he was posted to the Durham Light Infantry at Barnard Castle. Subsequently transferred to the 11th Battalion, a component of 49th Division, he underwent training for the Normandy invasion.

On D-Day + 6 he was disembarked at Arromanches, each man carrying a lightweight bicycle which was soon discarded as useless, and the Battalion launched its first attack at the village of Rauray on 27 June, where it suffered heavy casualties. Here, then, as cited above, the occasion Townsend took command of the Platoon and continued the battle, winning himself a recommendation for the M.M., which was subsequently upgraded to a D.C.M., in addition to advancement to Sergeant.

At the time of the Falaise breakthrough his Brigade had suffered so many casualties that it was not reinforced and the remaining members were directed to other units, Townsend being transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, in 50th Division. Subsequently taking part in the advance through France and Belgium, including the liberation of Brussels, his Battalion also participated in the push towards Arnhem.

Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field - after his Battalion became part of the 7th Armoured Division - Townsend was next present in the attack on Schilburg in January 1945, on which occasion he was wounded and awarded the M.C. - in April of the same year he attended a field investiture at Luneberg where Field Marshal Montgomery presented him with the riband of his decoration and he later received his M.C. and D.C.M. from King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

Townsend continued serving in the Army after the war. Having remained with the Devonshire Regiment until August 1947, he served on a Staff appointment to the 1st Battalion, Berkshire Regiment in Northern Ireland and Germany, being advanced Captain in November 1950. Having also served in Eritrea, he retired in 1953, having represented every Battalion he served at football and having opened the batting for the 2nd Devons cricket XI. The Captain died at Cowes, Isle of Wight on 22 September 1998.

Sold together with an original photograph of Montgomery with officers of the 7th Armoured Division, signed by the Field Marshal, together with congratulatory messages regarding the awards of his D.C.M. and a War Office letter reporting him as wounded on 18 January 1945 and a quantity of copied research.

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Estimate
£14,000 to £18,000