Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second World War Normandy M.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal A. Henry, Coldstream Guards, who was decorated for his gallantry as a stretcher bearer in “Operation Goodwood” in July 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2661603 L. Cpl. A. Henry, C. Gds.), in its original named box of issue and forwarding box with related Buckingham Palace letter, extremely fine £1200-1500

M.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘Lance-Corporal Henry is employed as a stretcher bearer and on two occasions he has gone out to attend to wounded while under fire.

The first occasion occurred when his company was in a position in front of Cagny [S.E. of Caen], on 20 July 1944, when there was a wounded man in the front right platoon who was being sniped at by two snipers from the buildings and woods at Frenouville. They opened up at any movement on this platoon, so it was decided to put down a smoke screen to enable the wounded man to be evacuated. Lance-Corporal Henry left Company H.Q. and walked over to the platoon and was told by the Platoon Commander to get down and wait until the smoke screen had started. As this was slow in coming down, Lance-Corporal Henry decided to wait no longer and proceed over to the wounded man in full view of the enemy. The wounded man was eventually evacuated after being treated by Lance-Corporal Henry.

On the second occasion, in front of Frenouville, two men had been killed and two wounded by an 88mm. shell. Again it was found impossible to approach the wounded men on account of machine-gun fire by the enemy, but again Lance-Corporal Henry walked right in and got the two men out.

These are but two examples of Lance-Corporal Henry’s courage. Ever since the Battalion has been in action, he has shown great devotion to duty and extreme gallantry in action regardless of self and is a great cheering influence on the whole company.’

Alexander Henry was serving in the 5th Battalion, Coldstream Guards, a component of the Guards Armoured Division, at the time of the above related deeds.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including two congratulatory letters from senior Guards officers on the award of his M.M., and a letter forwarding a copy of the citation to his mother in Liverpool, from R.H.Q. Coldstream Guards.