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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 387

The 1917 M.C. and Bar group of five awarded to Major G. W. Meats, 12th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, who, despite a severe wound earlier in the year, displayed such consistent gallantry and leadership that he earned both the M.C. and a Bar in less than a month

Military Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, unnamed as issued; British War and Victory Medals (Capt. G. W. Meats.); 1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45, with unnamed slip of issue, minor contact wear, overall very fine (5)

Military Cross London Gazette 5 July 1918, the original citation states:

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in an attack. He assembled his company on difficult ground within 100 yards of the enemy trenches and led his men with such dash into the hostile trenches that the enemy were completely surprised and a large number of prisoners were captured. He consolidated and held the captured ground in spite of an enemy counter-attack which threatened his position. He showed splendid leadership and courage.'

Second Award Bar London Gazette 18 July 1918, the original citation states:

'conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. When the enemy rushed one of our bombing posts and drove it in, he at once organised a bombing party, and under heavy machine-gun fire got out of the trench and bombed the advancing enemy with such energy that they retired in disorder. His quick perception of the situation and prompt action were invaluable, and enabled the position to be speedily re-established.'

Guy Wilkinson Meats was born at Nottingham on 29 September 1897, the son of Edwin and Florence Meats of 36 Redcliffe Road, Nottingham. He attended Kent House School, Eastbourne before moving on to Harrow School and later Nottingham University which he left in 1914. Joining the Yorkshire Regiment Meats was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on 24 March 1915 and entered the war in France on 26 August 1916. Promoted Lieutenant on 26 September 1916 while serving as Temporary Captain, a role he relinquished on 17 January 1917.

The Battalion was in the trenches at Tillroy during the Second Battle of Arras when Meats was severely wounded on 9 April 1917. He was evacuated to Britain and recovered in the British Red Cross Hospital, Netley before being noted as fit for Home Service, he remained so until 27 September 1917 when he could return to his Regiment. The Battalion was still in the line near Arras at the time and Meats soon distinguished himself in the fighting. His first act of gallantry occurred on 20 November when the 12th Battalion relieved the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the line, ahead of an attack at Cambrai. The attack went off well largely thanks to Meats' initiative with thirty-four Germans taken prisoner. They were still in the area less than a month later when the Germans launched a major assault on 12 December. 'A' and 'D' Company's faced the brunt of their onslaught and by nightfall had suffered losses of 70%. Meats served for the rest of the war being twice more promoted Temporary Captain and both times relinquishing the role after some months, he also served attached to the Yorkshire & Lancashire Regiment prior to demobilisation. Relinquishing his commission altogether on 1 April 1920 he retired with the rank of Captain.

After the Army Meats settled down to life as before, he attended University College London and became a Barrister-at-Law, marrying Dorothy Unwin Carter at Marylebone on 5 August 1931. Carter was an interesting character in her own right, having served as a Driver for the Royal Air Force during the Great War and later owning racehorses, including one winner of the Beachley Handicap Hurdle named 'Mad Mahdi'. With the outbreak of the Second World War Meats was granted an Emergency Commission on 10 January 1940 with his old regiment. Posted to 2/5th Battalion he served with the throughout the war, with them reaching the rank of Major. He served with that rank during the fall of France and played an important role in their withdrawal towards Dunkirk as From Pyramid to Pagoda, states:

'It was decided to move at 3 p.m. and when the time arrived a violent thunderstorm broke; but the rain was welcome as it made air visibility impossible. Stolidly the column trudged on through Boeschepe, Watou and Rousbragge, assisted by three vehicles which ran on the ferrying principle under Major Meats. At 4 p.m. on May 29th, a small party, including the C.O., Second-in Command and Adjutant, arrived in Leysele. Every effort was made to find the Battalion at Teteghem, but by this time units were so intermingled that the task was impossible.'

There is no further record of Meats' service however he did survive the war, working for Moira Investments Limited, an investment company whose board he was appointed to in March 1931. Meats died at Torbay Clinic, St. Lukes Road, Torquay on 20 February 1968; sold together with photographs, birth, marriage and death indexes and two cap badges, one for the West Yorkshire Regiment and another for the Yorkshire and Lancashire Regiment as well as R.A.F. service cards for Dorothy Carter and typed copies of the recipient's citations along with copied research including, M.I.C., service records, London Gazette extracts and extracts from histories for the West Yorkshire Regiment.

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Sold for
£2,600

Starting price
£1200