Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

The exceptional Second World War North-West Europe operations M.C., D.C.M. group of six awarded to Captain G. E. A. Townsend, Devonshire Regiment, late Middlesex Regiment, who was originally decorated for his gallantry in the 11th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry in Normandy in late June 1944, adding the M.C. to his accolades for subsequent acts of bravery with the 2nd Devons in the Nijmegen sector in January 1945 - in which latter action he was severely wounded
Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’; Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (6213268 Pte. G. E. A. Townsend, Devon. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, contact marks and polished, otherwise generally very fine (6)

The Great War campaign service group awarded to his father Corporal G. Townsend, Leicestershire Regiment
1914 Star, with clasp (8462 Cpl. G. Townsend, 2/Leic. R.); British War and Victory Medals (8462 Cpl. G. Townshend, Leic. R.), note surname spelling on these two; Defence Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, generally very fine (10)
£8000-10000

M.C. London Gazette 12 April 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘At Schilburg on 18 January 1945, 2nd Lieutenant Townsend was commanding a platoon in the attack on that town. With great determination he led his platoon forward to positions dominated by the enemy and under heavy fire from M.Gs and snipers. When he had succeeded in getting the platoon into position, he, in full view of the enemy, went from section to section urging them to greater efforts and pointed out targets. Later he went forward alone to deal with an enemy sniper who was causing casualties and was shot in the arm. In spite of great pain and temporary paralysis of his arm, this officer insisted on remaining with his platoon to fight the battle. Throughout the engagement he showed great gallantry and devotion to duty and was a source of inspiration to all who saw him.’

D.C.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘At Rauray, on 28 June 1944, Private Townsend's Platoon came under heavy machine-gun fire whilst attacking the village. The Platoon Commander, Platoon Sergeant and two Section Commanders became casualties. Private Townsend took control of the Platoon and led them onto the objective. Later certain enemy tried to infiltrate. Private Townsend organised a quick local counter-attack and drove them back. Throughout this period and later when on the defensive, this man showed a fine example of leadership and complete disregard of personal danger.’

George Eugene Atherton Townsend originally enlisted in the Middlesex Regiment in May 1940, in which capacity he employed on home defence duties, but, on qualifying as an Infantry Weapons Instructor, he was posted to the Durham Light Infantry at Barnard Castle. And he subsequently transferred to the 11th Battalion, a component of 49th Division, for training for the Normandy invasion.

On D-Day + 6 he was disembarked at Arromanches, each man carrying a lightweight bicycle which was soon discarded as useless, and the Battalion launched its first real attack at the village of Rauray on 27 June, where it suffered heavy casualties. Here, then, as cited above the occasion Townsend took command of the Platoon and continued the battle, winning himself a recommendation for the M.M., which was subsequently upgraded to D.C.M., in addition to advancement to Sergeant.

At the time of the Falaise breakthrough his Brigade had suffered so many casualties that it was not reinforced and the remaining members were directed to other units, Townsend being transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, in 50th Division. Subsequently taking part in the advance through France and Belgium, including the liberation of Brussels, his Battalion also participated in the push towards Arnhem. Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Field - after his Battalion became part of the 7th Armoured Division - Townsend was next present in the attack on Schilburg in January 1945, on which occasion he was wounded and awarded the M.C. - in April of the same year he attended a field investiture at Luneberg where Montgomery presented him with the riband of his decoration and he later received the M.C. and the D.C.M. from King George VI at Buckingham Palace.

Townsend continued serving in the Army after the war which included postings to Eritrea, Northern Ireland and Germany.

Sold with an original photograph of Montgomery with officers of the 7th Armoured Division, signed by the Field Marshal, together with congratulatory messages regarding the awards of his D.C.M. and a War Office letter reporting him as wounded on 18 January 1945.