Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of six awarded to Lance-Sergeant E. J. H. Howe, Coldstream Guards, who accounted for several of the enemy when his section was surrounded

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2664864 L. Sjt. E. J. H. Howe, C. Gds.), an official replacement with the ‘R.’ erased; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine and better (6) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals to the Coldstream Guards, R.F.C., R.N.A.S. and R.A.F. formed by the late Tom Baugh.

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M.M. London Gazette 16 October 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘For outstanding gallantry and devotion to duty. On 23 April 1945, the company in which this N.C.O. is a Section Commander, were cut off from the rest of the Battalion and at first light inadvertently found themselves surrounded by the enemy who were holding previously prepared positions in battalion strength with tank support. Intense fire of all kinds, including the tanks, was directed at the company from all sides. It was impossible to provide any artillery support for them as communications had failed, but the Company fought the enemy, who attacked them continuously for the rest of the day.

Throughout this time, Lance-Sergeant Howe was an outstanding example to the remainder of his platoon, of which, owing to casualties, he became the senior N.C.O. He rallied the Platoon after they had failed to break out and brought them into defensive positions reconnoitred by his Platoon Commander.

For the rest of the day he was tireless, visiting the sections, giving encouragement and playing a large part in beating off two enemy attacks on the platoon positions, during which he shot several Germans, two being buried the following day just in front of his trench. After dark, the enemy withdrew, leaving the remnants of this platoon undefeated and the sole survivors of the Company.

The magnificent example of courage and self discipline set by Lance-Sergeant Howe was beyond praise and he proved an inspiration to all near him throughout a very trying period.’

Ellis James Herbert Howe was born in Soham, Cambridgeshire in May 1922 and enlisted in the Coldstream Guards in December 1941. Originally drafted for service in the Middle East, he joined the 2nd Battalion in Italy in August 1943, and was wounded by a grenade on 22 October 1944, prior to his M.M.-winning exploits - he received the riband of his decoration from Major-General J. Y. Whitfield, C.O. 56 (London) Division, at a ceremony held at Boriano in June 1945. Howe was placed on the Army Reserve in April 1946; sold with a file of research, including copied service record.