Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Lance-Bombardier E. J. Willis, Royal Artillery (Signals), who acted as Forward Observation Officer amidst some of the heaviest fighting of the Normandy Campaign

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1939, with bronze star upon riband, mounted as worn with the French decoration first, nearly extremely fine (5) £100-£140

The recommendation for the French Croix de Guerre - as recorded in Battery Orders - for No. 1149194 L/Bdr. Willis, E. J., states: ‘Throughout the campaign in Normandy, this N.C.O, carried out his duties as O.P. Signaller with conspicuous gallantry. He accompanied his Troop Comd, when he was acting as F.O.O. in numerous battles and never failed to maintain communication, often in hazardous circumstances. On one occasion on 25 July 1944 when 25th Field Regiment R.A. were supporting 2nd Canadian Div at St Andre sur Orne, this N.C.O. continued to man his wireless set in an unarmoured vehicle during a hail of artillery and mortar fire which resulted in splinters penetrating the vehicle and even the wireless set. His courage and devotion to duty enabled fire to be maintained on the enemy at a critical period in the battle.’

Ernest James Willis attested for the Royal Artillery on 28 May 1942 and originally served with No. 34 Training Regiment (Signals), Royal Artillery. Recognised for his bravery by the French authorities in attempting to facilitate a break out from the Normandy bocage, he survived the campaign in North West Europe and transferred to Army Reserve on 23 May 1946.

Sold with the original Certificate of Award for the French Croix de Guerre and Bronze Star, Decision No. 589, to ‘A/L/Bdr Ernest James Willis 1149191 RA 25 Fd Regt RA - 8 Agra’, dated 3 April 1945, and a period copied Extract of Battery Orders, 22 April 1945, bearing the above citation, with minor hand-amendments.