Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War North Africa operations M.M. group of six awarded to Serjeant R. W. Davis, 58th Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, for saving the life of a comrade at arms from being burnt to death

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4265568 Sjt., R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, extremely fine (6) £1000-1200

M.M. London Gazette 23 September 1943.

Recommendation reads: ‘On May 9th 1943 while in action South of Tunis an enemy shell burst near the gun tractor which was being unloaded. The explosion set fire to several charges and tins of Diesel Oil, and three men remained in the burning area. Sgt Davis who had been knocked down by the explosion quickly recovered and rushed into the blazing area and brought out one man. He found the man was dead and returned and brought out the one living man from the fire. His prompt and fearless act undoubtedly saved this man from being burnt to death. He then returned to his gun and continued to serve it with his depleted detachment.’

Robert William Davis was born in Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 31 October 1910. He served in the 5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (T.A.), February 1927-November 1928. He enlisted into the Royal Artillery at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on 27 November 1928. He served in India, September 1931-December 1935, being transferred to the Army Reserve on 4 December 1935. Being recalled to service in the Second World War, he was serving in North Africa with the 58th Medium Regiment R.A. when he earned the M.M. by bravely saving the life of a comrade at arms. After the war he lived at 3 Highfield Terrace, Walker, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

With copied recommendation and original Regular Army Certificate of Service; certified copy of attestation (damaged); Army Certificate of Education 2nd Class, September 1933, at Amabala; named Buckingham Palace slip to accompany the M.M.; card forwarding box for his W.W.2 medals, bearing the above address, with accompanying slip; 12 photographs and riband bar.