Orders, Decorations and Medals

An important Second World War immediate award D.C.M. group of six to Sergeant D. Emery, 1st Battalion, Duke of Wellington's Regiment, for outstanding bravery at Monte Cece in Italy, where Private Richard Burton won the Regiment's only Victoria Cross of the war

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.VI.R. (6019290 Sjt., D.W.R.); 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, mounted court style for display, very fine (6)

PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS MEDAL SUBSEQUENTLY PROVED TO BE AN UNOFFICIALLY NAMED SPECIMEN AND WAS RETURNED TO THE AUCTIONEERS. SERGEANT EMERY"S ORIGINAL MEDALS INCLUDING A BEM ARE KNOWN TO BE EXTANT.

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

D.C.M., London Gazette, 12 April 1945: 'For outstanding bravery and devotion to duty during the attack on Monte Cece on the afternoon of 8th October, 1944, and during the night 8th-9th October, 1944.

For the attack on the strongly held Monte Cece feature 'A' Company, to which Sgt. Emery belonged, was allotted the task of capturing and holding the right end of the summit. The going was hard, due to mud and pouring rain, and the climb from the start line to the crest extremely steep, When 20 yards from the crest the leading platoon was halted by concentrated fire from four spandaus firing from the summit. Sgt. Emery, who was acting platoon commander, as his platoon commander had been wounded, was ordered to take his platoon through the leading platoon and assault the crest. He complied with this order immediately and with himself in the van, he led the platoon on to and over the crest, accounting for at least one spandau crew either killed or wounded who fell to his own Tommy gun. The assault was entirely successful and was in a very large part due to this N.C.O's outstanding dash and courage in the face of withering enemy M.G. fire. Sgt. Emery immediately reorganised and consolidated his platoon, which had suffered heavy casualties. Almost before this was completed the enemy counter-attacked with some 15-20 men. Once again Sgt. Emery immediately took up a position in front of his platoon, and although exposed to heavy enemy small arms fire engaged the attackers with Tommy gun and directed the fire of his platoon to such effect that the counter-attack was quickly and completely broken and the enemy withdrew leaving a number of dead and wounded. Throughout the whole action, which lasted until the early morning of 9th October, Sgt. Emery displayed not only the highest qualities of leadership and devotion to duty, but also showed an utter disregard for his own safety during a time of extreme danger. When not engaged actively in attacking and directing fire onto the enemy Sgt. Emery was a constant source of encouragement and cheerfulness to his men, moving amongst them and directing the evacuation of the wounded. There is no doubt that it was in a very large part due to Sgt. Emery's conspicuous bravery that the assault on Monte Cece was a success.

The Regiment suffered 72 casualties during the attack on Monte Cece, of which 2 officers and 12 other ranks were killed. Private Richard Burton was awarded the Victoria Cross for his conspicuous gallantry during the attack, his citation being of a similar nature to that of Sergeant Emery. Monte Cece is commemorated as a Battle Honour on the Regimental Colour.