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Auction: 9024 - The Property of a Gentleman Orders, Decorations and Campaign Medals
Lot: 736

An Outstanding Second World War ´Breaking of the Gustav Line´ Immediate D.C.M. Group of Six to Rifleman F.G. Norman, Royal Ulster Rifles a) Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (7018331 Rfmn. F,G. Norman. R.U.Rif.) b) 1939-1945 Star c) Africa Star d) Italy Star e) Defence and War Medals, generally very fine or better, Scarce to Regiment (6) Estimate £ 3,500-4,000 D.C.M. London Gazette 20.7.1944 Rifleman Frederick George Norman, Infantry (Haverhill Suffolk), ´´in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.´´ The Recommendation states: ´´Rifleman Norman was Signal Operator with "D" Coy who occupied positions North of Lorenzo during 18-26 Jan 44. On 24 Jan 44, the Coy was subjected to very heavy mortar and arty fire followed by a strong enemy attack. During the early part of the enemy bombardment the Coy Comd, CSM and one signaller were wounded and another man of Coy HQ killed in close proximity to Rifleman Norman. He himself was severely wounded in the arm and leg and his wireless set put out of action by shell splinters. At once he realised the vital need of maintaining the only means of communication with Bn HQ and crawled from one slit trench to another to get another set. He found this set also out of action from shell fire but crawled back with it, still under heavy fire and calmly stripped both sets until he had made the necessary repairs to get one set in working order again and re-establish communications. During the greater part of this time he was working alone, his arm severely damaged and giving him great pain, the other members of Coy HQ dead or wounded around him but he refused to allow his own wounds to be attended to until he had re-established communication. By his coolness, magnificent courage and complete disregard of personal safety he regained touch with Bn HQ and then calmly passed information of the situation thereby enabling the Bn Comd to take the necessary measures to deal with it. Finally, he was relieved at Coy HQ but on return to Bn HQ seeing there was a shortage of signallers he insisted on remaining at duty there and was again wounded when Bn HQ came under heavy shell and mortar fire. I consider his devotion to duty and gallantry under fire of the very highest order.´´ The original recommendation for Norman´´s D.C.M. gives his name as ´´7018331 Rifleman Frederick Norman, 1st London Irish Rifles´´. The typed ´´Frederick´´ has had a line put through it and ´´Eric John´´ been added in ink. The medal has been named as to Frederick George, as the award itself appears in the London Gazette. Provenance: J.B. Hayward March 1971

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£4,800