Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War 1945 immediate ‘North West Europe’ M.M. awarded to Sherman tank driver Trooper R. P. Janes, 5th Armoured Regiment (8th Princess Louise's (New Brunswick) Hussars), who was permanently engaged with enemy anti-tank fire during the advance from Voordhuizen to Putten, 17 April 1945. Despite his tank being hit, and his hand being mangled by shrapnel, Janes managed to stay the course with his crew loading the 17 pdr gun and manning the wireless set when he could no longer drive. His tank destroyed 2 anti-tank guns, killing or capturing 22 of the enemy

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (K 66356 Tpr. R. P. Janes. C.A.C.) mounted on investiture pin, surname officially corrected, good very fine £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 11 October 1945, the original recommendation states:

‘On 17 April 1945 during the advance from Voordhuizen to Putten, the tank driven by Trooper Janes was hit by an anti-tank gun and Trooper Janes himself was hit in the right hand by shrapnel. He refused to be evacuated and insisted he could carry on. Being unable to drive because of his badly mangled hand, he elected to change places with the loader-operator and load the rounds into the breech of the seventeen pounder gun with which his tank was equipped. A short time later his squadron ran into a strong anti-tank gun position, and, although in great pain and severely handicapped by his mangled hand, Trooper Janes remained at his post and loaded sixteen rounds until the anti-tank gun position was knocked out.

During the next four hours Trooper Janes’ squadron was engaged in numerous actions, and Trooper Janes continued to load and operate the wireless set throughout the entire operation.

This soldier’s outstanding courage and ceaseless devotion to duty enabled his tank to stay in action at a time when it was badly needed. His tank destroyed two anti-tank guns, killing or capturing twenty-two of the enemy, and played a major part in the success of the squadron’s actions.’

Raymond Percival Janes served with the 5th Armoured Regiment (8th Princess Louise's (New Brunswick) Hussars during the Second World War.