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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 420

A fine Second World War B.E.F. 1940 operations D.C.M. group of eight awarded to Major T. G. Williams, Army Cadet Force, late Royal Scots Fusiliers and Cameronians, who post-war won a mention in despatches for his services in Malaya

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (3129046 Sjt. T. G. Williams, R.S. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R., with M.I.D. oak leaf (3129046 W.O. Cl. 2 T. G. Williams, D.C.M., Cameronians), generally very fine or better (8)

D.C.M. London Gazette 27 August 1940. The original recommendation states:

‘In recognition for his services during 27-28 May 1940 on the Ypres-Comines Canal. This Sergeant was under my personal observation on many occasions under heavy enemy fire and was always noted to keep cool and use his brains. At about 9 a.m. on the morning of 28 May I took this N.C.O. in a carrier from Brigade H.Q. to try and establish contact with my Battalion H.Q., we were unable to get nearer than the St Eloi X Roads on account of an enemy anti-tank weapon. At this point we found troops in the ditch unable to move as small arms fire was coming from three sides. I ordered Sergeant Williams to drive the carrier to a covered position and dismount the Bren gun and engage the enemy on one front. He carried out my orders with perfect coolness and courage. On engaging the enemy with Bren gun fire the enemy fire from the rear ceased and the troops in the ditch managed to retire. It is for this action in conjunction with continuous reports of coolness and courage that I recommend this N.C.O. for the D.C.M.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 27 April 1951 (Malaya).

Thomas Garton Williams – a Yorkshireman by birth – enlisted in the Royal Scots Fusiliers in August 1933. Gaining steady advancement to Sergeant, he served in the B.E.F. in the period October 1939 to June 1940 and was awarded his D.C.M. for the above cited deeds on the Ypres-Comines canal at the end of May. The Battalion War Diary for 28 May 1940 states:

‘09:00 hours: The Battalion L.O. and Sergeant Williams of the Carrier Platoon tried to contact Battalion H.Q. in a carrier but were unable to get within two miles of it as the enemy had installed a form of anti-tank weapon in a house at St Eloi cross roads. The enemy infantry had passed right through the battalion area. About 160 men were found in the ditch near the St. Eloi cross roads, unable to proceed, owing to the heavy enemy fire from three sides. The carrier was taken into action and a couple of magazines fired at the most visible of the enemy. For some unknown reason enemy fire ceased and the 160 men in the ditch were enabled to make a dash out of their ditch into the cover of some woods from where they were able to withdraw.’

Williams went on to see further action in the Madagascar operations in 1942, in addition to North Africa, Italy and North-West Europe in 1944-45.

He transferred to the Cameronians at Trieste in November 1949 and was serving as a Warrant Officer Class 2 at the time of winning his ‘mention’ in Malaya for services in the 1st Battalion for the period July to December 1950 (London Gazette 27 April 1951, refers).

Appointed to a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in February 1968, Williams ended his long and distinguished career as a Major in the Lanarkshire Army Cadet Force.

Sold with the recipient’s original Certificate of Service (Regular Army), together with warrants for his appointments to W.O. Class 2, dated 25 September 1944, W.O. Class 1, dated 1 April 1952 and 2nd Lieutenant, dated 17 February 1968; Cameronians regimental journal, including a lengthy obituary and picture of recipient; newspaper cutting announcing his sudden death; and a colour photograph of recipient in uniform.

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Estimate
£2,400 to £2,800

Starting price
£1900