Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘France 1940’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Squadron Sergeant-Major Edward ‘Ted’ Lawrence, ‘A’ Squadron and Bandmaster, 1st Lothians and Border Yeomanry, one of the small handful of men of the regiment to escape from St Valery-en-Caux in June 1940; ‘A’ Squadron obtained the honour of the first cavalry unit to go into action in World War II

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (390399 W.O. Cl. 2. E. Lawrence. Loth. & Bord. Y.) numeral ‘2’ of rank impressed over a ‘3’; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R., 1st issue, fitted with Efficiency Decoration clasp, E.II.R., reverse undated (390399 W.O. Cl. 2. E. Lawrence. Lothians.) mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £3,000-£4,000

M.I.D. London Gazette 20 December 1940: ‘In recognition of distinguished services in connection with operations in the field, March-June, 1940.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 3 February 1944: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the field.’

The recommendation submitted by Major C. J. Y. Dallmeyer, C.O. ‘A’ Squadron, 1st Lothians, states: ‘From May 1st to May 6th [1940] he was in command of an outpost near Remeling, Lorraine, which was visited nightly by enemy patrols. On June 5th at Mareuil, River Somme he was commanding a post which was severely attacked by tommy-guns, hand grenades, machine gun and mortar fire. On both occasions he showed great courage and resource. He was at all times calm and cheerful and was an outstanding example and inspiration to the men under his command. Later when preparing to withdraw, the Squadron was heavily shelled, many casualties were inflicted, SSM Lawrence, in spite of persistent and accurate tommy-gun fire, supervised the loading of the wounded on to carriers, all of whom were successfully evacuated. During this time, the enemy were very close and were encircling the position, but SSM Lawrence rendered invaluable first aid and finally saw that all the automatic guns were brought away.’

Major Dallmeyer and S.S.M. Lawrence were both mentioned in despatches in 1940 but, subsequent to their successful escape from St Valery-en-Caux, they were eventually rewarded, as were others, in 1944 with the D.S.O. and D.C.M. respectively for their gallantry four years earlier. The brief history of the Lothians and Border Horse, Sabres to Scout Cars, by Andrew S. Gardiner gives a short description of the 1st Lothians campaign in France 1940:

‘Fears of a German invasion of the Low Countries in April, caused the regiment to be moved to the Belgian frontier at Marchiennes, after which, the fears allayed, they proceeded to a position near Metz, where they joined the 51st (Highland) Division. The division, supported by the 1st Lothians tanks, took over a series of outposts in front of the Maginot Line. In this exposed position, A Squadron obtained the honour of the first cavalry unit to go into action in World War II.

The opposing German forces increased their pressure in order to contain this sector of the Allied Line, while their main strength concentrated on a thrust westwards. The Low Countries were invaded on the 10th May and overwhelmed in five days. On the 23rd, the Germans broke through at Sedan and the Highland Division was rushed to the assistance of the French in an attempt to stem the ‘Blitzkrieg’. The 1st Lothians took over a sector on the Somme, which was stubbornly held for several days, often against massed attacks, but withdrawal became inevitable. From this time onwards, because of its mobility, the regiment was employed in a series of gap-plugging and rear-guard actions, but with resistance, in general, gradually crumbling and the sheer speed of the German infiltration, one position after another had to be abandoned - Abbeville, Oisement, Thibermont.

A defensive box was finally formed around the seaport of St Valery on June 11th with the 1st Lothians holding the southern edge. Throughout the following day, the position was held, the general situation worsening by the hour, so that plans for evacuation had to be explored. Tragically the necessary shipping was not available and the spectre of surrender began to assume a more solid shape. But not for the 1st Lothians. Weeks of stubborn fighting had strengthened not weakened their resolve. In small groups they sought their own chances of escape or remaining at liberty. Pitifully few escaped, 3 officers and 17 other ranks were all that managed to escape to England. The group containing the C.O. was unfortunately fired upon as they sheltered in a barn, resulting in the death of Major Younger and the wounding of all the others. For them and the majority the bitterness of internment lay ahead; an experience that left behind many deep scars.’

The 1st Lothians was reformed around the nucleus of survivors of St Valery during the Autumn of 1940 and underwent training until 1944, when they landed in Normandy on 11th July to take part in the campaign in North West Europe 1944-45. Thus the 1st Lothians found themselves fighting as detached squadrons in support of various brigades and divisions of the British, Canadian and American Armies. When St Valery was retaken in September 1944, the massed pipes and drums of the 51st Highland Division gave a display of 'beating retreat' to which the 1st Lothians pipe-band were invited as spectators.