GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
854
A rare Second World War escaper’s M.M. group of four awarded to Private S. Westland, Argyll & Sutherland
Highlanders
MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (2879102 Pte. S. Westland, A. & S.H.); 1939-45 STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS 1939-45, the first
with edge nicks and contact marks but generally good very fine (4) £1800-2200
M.M. London Gazette 2 December 1941:
‘In recognition of distinguished services in the Field.’
Stanley Westland, a native of Aberdeen, was decorated for his courageous escape after being captured in France in June 1940, an
account of which was recorded by M.I. 9 on his return to the U.K. in July 1941:
‘I was captured at St. Valery en Caux on 12 June 1940. We were marched to Rouen (15 June). There I escaped, but was caught in a
cafe before the P.W. had left the town. We then resumed our march to St. Pol (19 June) and Bethune. In Bethune I escaped a second
time on 22 June with Private A. F. D. Harper, 1/Gordon Highlanders, and Private Dunbar of the same unit (later escaped from Stalag
190).
We got civilian clothes and money in Bethune and were directed to Auchel, where we had an address. Harper was accommodated
there, while Dunbar and I were sheltered by another French woman and were fed by the owner of a cafe. We remained in Auchel for
about two months and then had to move to Calonne-Ricourat because of the arrival of German troops. On 23 September Dunbar
changed to another house and was caught by the Germans. During the time I was in Calonne-Ricourat I made frequent visits to
Bethune where, with the French woman who had befriended us in June, I used to take food to the British wounded in hospital. We
helped one of them - Corporal J. A. Gill, 1/8th Lancashire Fusiliers to escape by taking civilian clothes into the hospital for him.
I left Bethune on 19 November, and after a week in Paris, crossed into Unoccupied France and went to Perpignan. From there I crossed
into Spain on 3 December, where I was detained in concentration camps for 6 months before my release for repatriation.’
Sold with copied research, including Private Dunbar’s M.I. 9 debrief papers.
855
A Second World War ‘Italian Operations’ M.M. group of five awarded to Private William Oliver, 1st Battalion Welch
Regiment
MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (14627409 Pte., Welch R.); 1939-45 STAR; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, these unnamed,
mounted court style for wear; with Welch Regiment cap badge, M.M. with slight edge bruise, good very fine (6)
£1800-2200
M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945.
Recommendation states: ‘On 17 Jan 45 at Casa Rasponi Pte Oliver’s position was very heavily attacked, the enemy quickly surrounding
the house. He cooly and steadily fired his Bren gun from an exposed window, being directly engaged by two spandaus, in spite of
which he destroyed a large number of enemy. A direct hit by a shell wounded Pte Oliver but he refused treatment and evacuation and
remained manning his gun for a further two hours. After the enemy had been driven off, a volunteer was asked for to fetch stretcher
bearers for the seriously wounded, and under intense spandau fire he reached Coy HQ and returned with assistance.’
William John Oliver came from Trevaughan, Carmarthen. In January 1945, Oliver was serving with the 1st Battalion Welch Regiment,
part of the 9th Armoured Brigade of the 1st Canadian Corps, 8th Army, in North Italy, along the Senio River. On the night of 16-17
January, “B” Company 1st Battalion Welch Regiment, who were located at Casa Rasponi and supported by a troop of 4th Hussars, were
heavily attacked by the 9th Company of the 26th Panzer Grenadier Regiment (16th SS Division). The Germans were hoping to capture
all the buildings occupied by the Welch, in order to prevent British close observation of the river and give early warning of any
impending attack.
At 16.10 the Germans made a frontal attack on “B” Company’s position, and an hour of confused fighting followed in the darkness
before dawn. Assisted by the firepower of the 4th Hussars, “B” Company repelled the attack. The enemy then withdrew and the British
positions were then subject to an artillery barrage, after which a further attack was made and beaten off. Thirty Germans were left
around the Welch position, eleven were taken prisoner. The Welch suffered fourteen men wounded and a Welch stretcher-bearer was
shot dead whilst attempting to bring in some of the German wounded. Private Oliver, one of the wounded, suffered shell wounds to his
legs.
On 30 May 1950, Private William John Oliver, M.M., 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, was made an Honorary Freeman of Carmarthen.
With copied gazette extract, recommendation, newspaper cutting and other research.
www.dnw.co.uk
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