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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 152

The Italy 1945 M.M. group of six awarded to Company Sergeant Major D. A. Richards, 1st Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, a pre-war veteran and pillar of the Regiment who was twice wounded during the Second World War

Going on to see post-war service in Palestine he served as C.S.M. when his Company was posted to Buckingham Palace as the King's Guard

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4031323 A.W.O. Cl.2. D. A. Richards. K.S.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, light pitting, very fine (6)

M.M. London Gazette 13 December 1945, the original recommendation states:

'This Colour Sergeant has 15 ½ years service. He has been twice wounded in action in Italy. He has frequently been called upon to shoulder abnormal responsibility, on one occasion he was acting CSM during an attack when all Officers in his Company had been wounded or killed. With the greatest gallantry he reorganised his Company and held the ground so dearly won. Though later wounded he remained on duty until arrangements were made for new Officers from elsewhere to take over.
He has been continuously conspicuous for his high example of courage and devotion to duty The punctual arrival of the administrative train to his company in action in the mountains of Italy in the winter of 1944 was again and again due to the exceptional initiative and determination displayed by this N.C.O.'

Douglas Alexander Richards enlisted with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 27 August 1930, he was still serving with that unit on the outbreak of the Second World War. He was serving as a Sergeant with the 1st Battalion when they landed at Anzio in January 1944. They went into action on 8 February at Buonriposo Ridge, the Soldier's of Shropshire Website provides further detail stating:

'From 8 to 15 February 1944 1/KSLI returned to the front line near 'the railway'. On 8 February 1/ KSLI attacked a feature called the Buonriposo ridge that was dissected by thickly wooded wadis in heavy rain. The attack was not supported by tanks and was in effect rushed, with poor communication. The attack failed to reach its objective and in the fighting the Germans captured 'the factory' feature. 1/KSLI suffered fifteen killed, eight wounded and eleven missing in the period 8 - 15 February.'

One of those wounded was Richards, the first of two wounds he was to suffer in Italy at the forefront of the fighting. Recovering from his wound he was appointed Acting Company Sergeant-Major and on more than one occasion during the advance through Italy was required to take command of the Company. Richards was wounded again on 26 October 1944 just after the capture of Monte Cece near Florence. His wound was not severe however and he remained on duty as the Battalion continued to see service at Monte Grande the following month.

After the end of the war he was transferred to the Reserve on 27 January 1946 but rejoined on 29 June that year. Serving with the 1st Battalion in Palestine and Syria during this period (Medal and Clasp) as the C.S.M. of 'A' Company, the Regimental journal suggests he was notable for his performance on the hockey pitch and his garden.

'We announce with regret the departure of that noble beast, Fenton's Horse, a creature that will go down in posterity. It was given the "Order of the Boot" after a series of misdemeanours culminating in trespassing on that "Holy of Holies," the C.S.M.'s garden.' (KSLI Regimental Journal November 1947, refers)

He is listed in a special supplement of the journal in 1948, again as C.S.M. of 'A' Company when they were selected to provide a detachment to serve as the King's Guard at Buckingham Palace. Richards was discharged on 9 September 1948; sold together with copied research and an original special supplement of the Regimental journal dated 1948.

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Estimate
£1,200 to £1,600

Starting price
£950