Auction Catalogue

23 March 2022

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 114

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23 March 2022

Hammer Price:
£4,800

A superb Second War immediate ‘Gold Beach’ D-Day M.C. group of seven awarded to Major J. L. G. Littlejohns, 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, for his actions at Le Hamel on 6 June 1944

Military Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1944, and additionally privately engraved ‘69150 Major J. L. G. Littlejohns.’; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (Lieut J. L. G. Littlejohns. Hamps. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, the Second War awards all privately engraved ‘69150 Major J. L. G. Littlejohns’, mounted as worn, some contact marks and light scratches, otherwise nearly extremely fine (7) £3,000-£4,000

M.C. London Gazette 31 August 1944.
The original Recommendation, dated 16 June 1944, states: ‘Major Littlejohns landed at Le Hamel with his Reserve Company at about 0830 hrs 6 June 1944. On landing the company came under intense small arms fire on the beaches. He succeeded in crossing the beaches, and without hesitation organised his company for an attack on an artillery battery dominating the whole beach area. Despite very heavy shell and machine gun fire Major Littlejohns led his company forward. The fire increased in intensity, and the company was held up. Major Littlejohns once more took the company forward, and finally succeeded in capturing the position. The success of this attack was vital to the assault of 231 Brigade, and Major Littlejohns, by his coolness, imperturbability and determination set such a fine example that his men willingly followed him.’

John Leslie George Littlejohns, a pre-war officer who first saw active service as a Lieutenant in Palestine, was later awarded an immediate Military Cross during the Second World War for his actions with the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, in the Gold Beach sector on the first day of the D-Day landings, 6 June 1944.

Sold together with supporting paperwork, medal riband bar and a name badge from his subsequent employment with Messrs GKN.