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Auction: 4004 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 32

An Outstanding Normandy, post D-Day, D.C.M. Group of Five to Private G.H. Sneesby, Lincolnshire Regiment. Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (4800749 Pte. G.H. Sneesby. Linc. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; War Medal, M.I.D. Oakleaf, extremely fine, the group mounted as worn (5) Estimate £ 2,400-2,800 D.C.M. London Gazette 5.4.1945. Private George Henry Sneesby, 4th Bn The Lincolnshire Regiment. The Recommendation states 'On 25th June 1944, during the Battalion attack on Fontenay the above named soldier, a pioneer by trade, was attached to one of the assault Companies. Under extreme difficulties of opposition and obscurity this Company made good its objective. As it was re-organising a party of Germans, mounted in six half-track vehicles, endeavoured to break out of the position and escape. Thick mist over hung the vicinity. Private Sneesby, who was nearby, realised at once that an individual act on his part alone would prevent their escape. As the leading vehicle drove up towards him the six Germans inside rained a hail of smeiser fire down the track to their front. In full face of this fire Private Sneesby ran up to the leading half track armoured car and threw a grenade into the driver's compartment. At this stage he was wounded in his thigh and his back by fire directed at him from the following vehicle. In spite of this he whipped out another grenade and threw it into the back of the leading track disabling the occupants. Having silenced this party he blew the engine up with another grenade, thereby blocking the exit for the following vehicles. Refusing to be deterred by his severe wounds, he then in a most determined manner advanced against the occupants of the second vehicle. So cowed were they by this man that they surrendered to him. It was not until joined at this stage by more men from the Company that Private Sneesby allowed his wounds to be treated. By this superb act of individual gallantry, Private Sneesby himself accounted for the capture or death of some 10 Germans and was entirely responsible for preventing the escape of the six vehicles and their 30 occupants. This magnificent example of courage had a high morale effect on the Battalion.''

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