Auction Catalogue

25 February 2015

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

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Lot

№ 616

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25 February 2015

Hammer Price:
£800

A Second World War North Africa operations M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Sergeant G. W. Walker, Royal Artillery, who was subsequently killed in action at El Alamein

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (851045 L./Sjt. G. W. Walker, R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine and better (5) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 23 April 1942. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘On 25 January 1942, near Antelat, the Battery was ordered to withdraw. Some ammunition had been dumped in anticipation of a tank attack and Sergeant Walker was in charge of the ammunition lorries which were being loaded up again. When the Troops were on the move tanks appeared at about 400 yards distance - there was still one dump of ammunition to be loaded. With the greatest coolness in spite of M.G. fire from the tanks, Sergeant Walker completed his task and caught up with the Battery.

Again, on 2 February 1942, near Carmusa, Sergeant Walker displayed the greatest coolness and daring when the Battery was withdrawing. Seeing some of our infantry who had been left behind he drove his lorry straight towards the approaching enemy and, in the face of shell fire and small arms fire, picked up the infantry and brought them back. His bearing and determination in both places were an example to all those with him.’

Garfield William Walker was serving in 11th Field Battery, 1st Field Regiment, R.A., at the time of the above cited deeds. He was similarly employed at the time of his death in action at El Alamein on 15 October 1942, aged 26 years.