Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Second War ‘North West Europe’ 1944 M.M. group of five awarded to Private S. Clark, Suffolk Regiment, who, after his Company had suffered heavy casualties during the attack on Overloon, 12 October 1944, volunteered as company runner, and despite being subjected to heavy fire for over six hours ‘never failed to deliver a message’

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5127289 Pte. S. Clark. Suff. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Malaya (5127289 Pte. S. Clark. (M.M.) Suffolk.) unit officially corrected on last, extremely fine (5) £1200-1600

M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945:
‘For gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe.’

The recommendation states: ‘On 12th October 1944, during the attack against Overlon, Private Clark’s company sustained heavy casualties and lost the Company Commander, all its officers, and every senior Non Commissioned Officer of the rank of Corporal and above. There were no communications either with Battalion Headquarters or the forward platoons except by runner. The Company Sergeant Major assumed command and after some hard fighting succeeded in getting the company on to its objective.
During the whole of this action, Private Clark, as company runner, was unceasingly employed in taking messages, under enemy fire of all kinds, backwards and forwards to the leading platoons; fetching and guiding stretcher bearers; attending to the wounded; and generally acting as “right hand man” to the Company Sergeant Major. He was quite oblivious to his personal danger and ran about in the open under heavy fire for over six hours. Not once during the whole battle did he fail to deliver a message, although in a moving battle of this kind it was always most difficult to locate the persons for whom messages were intended. His cheerful presence had an inspiring effect on all his comrades, wherever he appeared.
By his bravery and unselfish devotion to duty Private Clark contributed immeasurably to the success of his company’s attack on Overloon.’

Sidney Clark, a native of Nuneaton, served with the Suffolk Regiment during the Second World War in North West Europe, and subsequently in Palestine and Malaya.

Approximately 22 Military Medals awarded to the Suffolk Regiment for the Second World War.