Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 144


A fine Second War ‘immediate’ 1941 North Africa operations M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Sergeant, later Second Lieutenant, D. Lockyear, 258th Anti-Tank Battery, 65th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, who was decorated for his gallantry during a tank battle at Gabr el Abidi, 13 December 1941. He was twice wounded in action, 22 March and 26 June 1942, and commissioned in the 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Lockyear was killed in action at the crossing of the River Sangro, Italy, 23 November 1943


Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7888801 L. Sjt. D. Lockyear. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, with named card box of issue for M.M., good very fine (6)


£1,200-£1,600 Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, March 2014.


M.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942. The original recommendation for an immediate award states: ‘On 13 December 1941, during a heavy tank attack west of Gabr el Abidi, Lance-Sergeant Lockyear was the Troop Sergeant. His troop of anti-tank guns was forward of, and in defence of the Field Artillery. Under heavy fire, he was of the greatest assistance to his Troop Commander during the operation and when last seen that night, was still fighting the only remaining gun of the Troop. He remained with the Troop Commander all night and was found by a patrol the following morning.’


Denis Lockyear was born in London, and was the son of Flight Sergeant Bertram Edwin and Louisa Mary Lockyear of Hastings, Sussex. He was educated at Latymer, and attested for the Royal Tank Corps (T.A.) in October 1937. Lockyear transferred to 258th Anti-Tank Battery, 65th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery in June 1939. He served with the British Expeditionary Force in France, 19 February - 1 June 1940. Lockyear advanced to Lance-Sergeant, and distinguished himself whilst serving with his unit as part of the Fourth Indian Division in North Africa, 12-14 December 1941:


‘The enemy line swung in an arc and after reconnaissance it was decided to commit 4/11 Sikhs to an assault against the northern face of the re-entrant. 25 Field Regiment, escorted by guns from 65 Anti-Tank Regiment, had begun to register, when the Bren carriers came racing in to report 40 tanks approaching supported by artillery and lorried infantry. The Sikhs, who had not debussed, withdrew. Brigade Headquarters hurried forward 10 Valentine tanks and another company of anti-tank guns... 25 Field Regiment took station for action with 16 guns in echelon facing north-west, with the tanks on their left flank and covering detachments of anti-tank guns on both sides. A mile to the west, 31 Field Regiment swung its guns in half circle and stood ready to intervene at long range.


As the gunners crouched waiting, 2,000 yards away a dust column grew. The panzers poured over a low ridge and opened fire, the Mark IVs laying a barrage in the path of the lighter tanks. Enemy self-propelled guns and lorried infantry swung to flank. The heavy mass rolled on through seething dust and smoke, flailing the silent British group with cannon shells and machine-gun fire. At 1,200 yards the gunners smashed back. There followed a fierce and stubborn grapple. John Hetherington, Australian war correspondent, who witnessed the encounter, wrote:


“The enemy’s armour fleet looked like ships fighting their way through a storm at sea, surrounded by flying sand and stones. The leading tanks reeled out of action, broken and burning, but the rest rolled on in a great wave.”


Over the Gun Position Officer’s radio came a graphic description as the artillerymen hurled shell as long as any man stood to work the guns. The panzers flooded over 31/58 Battery; Major Newell, the battery commander, served the last piece single-handed. 12/25 swung its guns at point blank range on to the milling tanks as they reached the sister battery and blew them back before they could seize either guns or prisoners. Ranging backwards and forwards under the unbearable fire, like wild beasts in torment, the enemy armour once more hurled itself upon its quarry. 31 Field Regiment, 65 Anti-Tank Regiment and the guns of the Valentines joined in pounding the enemy with an inferno of shell. Suddenly the German lorried infantry wheeled and drove away into the north. The tanks slowly followed, leaving a dozen wrecks behind. 7 officers and 58 men of 25 Field Regiment had fallen around their guns. Eight guns had been knocked out but all were recovered. once again the bull’s rush had failed to win home in the face of gallantry and discipline beyond praise.’ (Fourth Indian Division, Lieutenant-Colonel G. R. Stevens, O.B.E., refers)


Lockyear was twice wounded in action whilst serving in Egypt, 22 March 1942 and 26 June 1942. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, 15 August 1943. Lockyear was serving with the latter, as part of Eight Indian Division, when he was killed in action during the crossing of the River Sangro on 23 November 1943.


Second Lieutenant Lockyear is buried in the Sangro River Cemetery, Italy. Entitled to ‘8th Army’ clasp.


Sold with original Buckingham Palace investiture letter addressed to the recipient’s mother, dated 21 June 1949; a photographic image of recipient and copied research, including his service papers.


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