Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Normandy M.C. group of five awarded to Major G.M.M. Smaliwood, South Staffordshire Regiment and Duke of Wellington's Regiment

MILITARY CROSS, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1945' and additionally engraved 'T. Major G.M.M. Smallwood, 5th Bn. S. Staffs. Regt., later O.C. B. Coy. 1/7th Bn. D.W.R.'; 1939-45 STAR; FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, mounted court style, nearly extremely fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals to the Duke of Wellington's (West Riding) Regiment from the Collection of Mr Donald Hall.

View
Collection

M.C., London Gazette, 29 March 1945. The following citation was extracted from official records: 'Major Smallwood has taken part in every action this unit has fought as a battalion in France. He has commanded his Coy with great courage, skill and determination, and at all times has been an inspiration to his men. On 16th July, 1944, he led his Coy to attack the les Nouillons feature, first phase, and despite heavy enemy M.M.G. and mortar fire, he captured and held on to his objective. On 6th August, 1944, he led his men from Curcey South to the River Orne, and again by sheer guts and determination he held on to his positions. On 19th August, 1944, his Coy led the attack on Mesnil Hermie and on the 20th August on to Pt 271. Both of these attacks were successful and that on Mesnil Hermie despite very heavy enemy mortar and shell fire. By his personal courage, leadership and gallantry only have these successes been achieved, and there is no doubt that but for the example shown by Major Smallwood, the success of all these operations would have been prejudiced.'

Geoffrey Malcolm Mercer Smallwood was gazetted to an emergency commission in the South Staffords on 1 October 1939, became a Temporary Captain in April 1941 and Temporary Major in September 1943. He commanded B Company throughout the Normandy campaign and won the Military Cross with them. When that battalion was broken up in the disbandment of the 59th Division, he went to the 7th Bn., Duke of Wellington's Regiment, in command of B Company. Further personal information could be made available to the purchaser of this lot.