Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Second World War ‘Italian Theatre’ Immediate D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant A. W. Goult, 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (2612007 A.Sjt., G. Gds.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, light contact marks, very fine (6) £1800-2200

D.C.M. London Gazette 8 March 1945.

‘On the night of Oct. 10/11th, Sgt. Goult was in command of four 3” Mortar detachments of 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards, sited below Monte Battaglia, and supporting the forward companies on the feature. A German patrol was heard approaching the mortar position at the same time as mortar defensive fire was being called for by the left forward company, who were being attacked. Sgt. Goult at once fired the D.F. task and reported that he was being machine gunned from the rear. He continued to fire his mortars, even though enemy grenades were falling in the mortar pits and the machine gun was firing at the mortars at close range. He was ordered to stop firing and immediately manned his position against the enemy with the Bren gun, Tommy gins and grenades. He managed to beat off the enemy, who attempted to wrench one of the mortars from its position. Finally, when daylight broke, Sgt. Goult reported that seventy Germans were in the gully 50 yards from him and wishing to surrender. No praise is too high for the way in which this N.C.O. kept firing his mortars in support of his comrades although in imminent danger himself and the gallant way in which he led the detachments to fight back at the greatly superior force, was largely responsible for the number of prisoners taken.’

Arthur William Goult was born in Chelmsford, Essex, on 24 March 1911, and enlisted into the Grenadier Guards on 19 November 1929. He served in Egypt from November 1930, for two years when he was transferred to class A reserve. Recalled to the Colours in September 1939, he attended a variety of courses in Weapons Training, Bren Gun Carrier Maintenance, and 3-inch Mortars. In December 1944, he was involved in an accident when some mortar bombs exploded due to faulty ammunition, killing several men and wounding others, including himself. He was finally discharged on 10 December 1945 with the character of Exemplary.