Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Attributed to Sergeant A. Wantling, East Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed in action on 11 June 1944, a few days after his battalion landed in the first wave at ‘Gold Beach’ on ‘D’ Day

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, one clasp, 8th Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Arm Council enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs Wantling, 8 Richelieu Street, Great Lever, Bolton’, nearly extremely fine (5) £100-£140

Arthur Wantling served as Sergeant No. 5955913, in 5th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment and was killed in action on 11 June 1944, D-Day plus 5, aged 29. He is buried at Tilly sur Seulles War Cemetery, Calvados, France. He was the son of Thomas and Florence Wantling and husband of Elizabeth Wantling, of Bolton, Lancashire.

The 5th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment was brigaded with the 6th and 7th Battalions, Green Howards, as part of the 69th Infantry Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division, and were a 1st wave assault battalion on Gold Beach on D-Day. The battalion received orders at around 10.00 hours on the 11 June 1944 to advance to Oristot, and at around 14.30 followed the 6th Battalion Green Howards through Duoy St. Marguerite, coming under shellfire. Audrieu was reached at 16.00 hours and the 5th East Yorkshires established a firm base for an attack by armour. The tanks having passed through Audrieu, the Green Howards followed on. At 18.00 hours, as they approached Les Hauts Verts, the Green Howards came under heavy fire from small arms and Spandaus from Oristot. A fierce battle ensued. The Germans launched a counter-attack with tanks and the 5th East Yorkshires were called in, sustaining casualties; Major H. F. Dixon, the acting Commanding Officer, died of wounds; Major H. C. Cocking and Lieutenant J. L. Sykes were missing (later found to have been killed in action), while ten other ranks were missing and twenty five were wounded. Wantling was amongst those missing and was later confirmed killed in action.