Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. To coincide with the OMRS Convention

A superb Second World War bomb disposal duties G.M. group of seven awarded to Captain C. E. Davies, Royal Engineers, late Welsh Guards, who displayed ‘cold blooded courage’ in dealing with over 400 devices at the height of the Blitz

George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (Lieut. Charles Ernest Davies, R.E.); British War and Victory Medals (2 Lieut.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals, these three privately inscribed, ‘Capt. C. E. Davies, G.M., R.E.’; French Croix de Guerre 1914-18, with two bronze stars on riband good very fine and better (7) £1000-1200

G.M. London Gazette 28 October 1941. The recommendation states:

‘Lieutenant Davies has been engaged continuously in bomb disposal since 8 August 1940. He has during this period dealt with over 400 bombs of all sizes, including 35 category ‘A’ incidents. Practically all the reconnaissances were carried out by this Officer himself. Nearly all the category ‘A’ incidents were dealt with before clockstoppers, stethoscopes, fuse extractors, etc. were in use, and every bomb was a potential booby trap. This Officer has at all times shown a splendid spirit, and by his courage and devotion to duty has set a fine example to the men under his command:

Incident A
21 September 1940, Hawkers Aircraft Factory, Weybridge:

Two 50kg. bombs, both containing 17 fuses, were dropped in the factory at 10.30 hours and classified as category ‘A’. Work started at 1400 hours. One bomb which had not penetrated was removed, with the fuse still in, to a crater in the airfield. The other bomb was under the concrete floor in the workshop, and excavation had commenced immediately, continuing all night until 0800 hours the next morning, when the bomb was successfully extracted. The bomb in the crater in the airfield exploded during the excavation of the second bomb. There is no doubt that the perseverance of this Officer had a great effect on the saving of at least 25 British aircraft. No clockstoppers or stethoscopes were available at the time.

Incident B
27 October 1940, Onslow village, Guildford

A 250kg. bomb had fallen on 27 September 1940 at the rear of the house, under a sewer and also under cables and pipes carrying the main services. When the bomb was uncovered it was found to be fitted with a (17) fuse and a plain green fuse. Both fuses stuck when this Officer made an attempt at defusing. The bomb was removed to a safe spot and demolished. No clockstoppers were available at the time.

Incident C
28 October 1940, Ormonde Road, Godalming

A 250kg. bomb had fallen on 29 September 1940, in a passageway in the middle of a row of houses. On excavation the penetration was found to be 16 feet with an offset of 12 feet which took the bomb under the nearest house. Two fuses, a (17) and a (50) were revealed. The bomb was removed into the roadway, loaded on a lorry and taken to an open site for demolition. No clockwork stoppers were available at this time. This Officer personally helped in the removal of the bomb.

Incident D
10 May 1941, Christchurch, Hampshire

Ten 50kg. bombs and two 250kg. bombs were dropped on an Air Speed Factory at Muddiford Lane, Christchurch. Four other bombs were dropped at the same time which exploded. The bombs fell at 0130 hours and were classified ‘A.1’. Work started at 0600 hours and the bombs were cleared by 1230 hours. The 250kg. bombs contained 25 fuses, the 50kg. bombs contained 15 fuses. The two pin plug discharger was used by this Officer on all fuses but on testing two fuses afterwards they were found to be alive.

Covering remarks by Major-General G. B. O. Taylor:

Lieutenant Davies has an outstanding record of courageous action and fine leadership during which his own safety has been completely disregarded in the interest of his duty. Incident A described in the above report is an excellent example of cold blooded courage and tenacity of purpose. Both bombs were fitted with delay action fuses, one of which exploded soon after it had been moved to a position of safety and whilst the other was still being excavated. Incidents B, C and D further record this Officer’s selfless devotion to duty and sustained courage. I consider the recommendation for the award of the George Medal to be appropriate.’

Charles Ernest Davies was gazetted to the Welsh Guards as a 2nd Lieutenant in October 1917, direct from an Officer Cadet unit. He served out in France between April and July 1918 but was eventually invalided back home suffering from the effects of an enemy gas attack. Davies was advanced to Lieutenant in April 1919 and released from the Army soon afterwards. Returning to the Colours on the renewal of hostilities, he was gazetted to the Royal Engineers for bomb disposal duties as a 2nd Lieutenant in August 1940 and won his G.M. for services with No. 23 Bomb Disposal Company, R.E. He subsequently served in No. 96 Bomb Disposal Unit and was onetime Adjutant of No. 4 Bomb Disposal Group.

Sold with original wartime Regional Commissioner’s Headquarters Pass and War Office Identity Card for Mechanical Transport Drivers, the former effective for the period February 1941 to February 1942.