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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 389

A scarce Immediate 'Battle of Gazala' 1942 M.M. group of four awarded to Trooper J. Every, The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards), Royal Armoured Corps, who was latterly killed in action during the Battle of the Mareth Line on 29 March 1943

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6459844 Tpr. J. Every. The Bays.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn by his father, good very fine (4)

M.M. London Gazette 15 October 1942. The original recommendation - for an Immediate award - states:

'After a few days experience in fighting with a Grant Sqdn., it was soon found to be imperative to have a 3-Ton Ammunition (75mm) lorry at a moments call throughout the day. Trooper Every was the driver of one of these lorries. During the two very critical days 13th (Naabus er Rigel) and 14th (Acroma Area) June, ammunition was being used very freely and this Trooper made repeated journeys on each day right up to the Tanks in action, as owing to the shortages of Tanks, it was not found possible to pull them out of the line to replenish.

During the whole of this period there was a very fierce tank battle in progress, and gun & shell fire very intensive, and owing to good visibility on 14th June it was intensified whenever a lorry appeared amongst the Tanks. In spite of all this Trooper Every with utter disregard for his own personal safety, quite calmly and without hesitation visited each tank in turn for replenishment. His devotion to duty was of the highest order.'

Jack Every was born in 1921, the son of Thomas Albert and Winifred, of Roade, Northamptonshire. He had joined the ranks of The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards) with his brother and saw active service in North Africa. His M.M. was won during the height of the Gazala Battle, when the unit were in action for 19 days straight, a record for an armoured regiment in the Western Desert. Every was killed in action during the Battle for the Mareth Line on 29 March 1943 and is buried in the Sfax War Cemetery.

Sold together with an Army Council Condolence slip in the name of '6459844 Tpr. Jack Every.', Buckingham Palace condolence slip and his Queen's Bays Certificate upon presentation of a New Standard by H.M. The Queen on 29 July 1939, this last folded.

For the Medals of his father, please see Lot 116 and for the Medals of his brother, please see Lot 182.

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Sold for
£3,500

Starting price
£1600