Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding ‘El Alamein’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Serjeant S. G. J. Davies, Royal Sussex Regiment

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (553755 Sjt., R. Suss. R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Defence and War Medals; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (553755 W.O. Cl. 2 (D.C.M.) R. Suss. R.) good very fine (6) £3000-3500

D.C.M. London Gazette 17 June 1943. ‘On 28th October, 42, No.553755 Sergt. Davies was in comd. of a Tp. of A/Tk. guns, which, with a few infantry were all that remained of his Battalion after it had been attacked by enemy tanks in a very exposed and isolated position known as “Woodcock”, and over-run. This small detachment held an advanced position just behind a low ridge at Pt.33. Later in the day, four enemy tanks appeared over the ridge and brought heavy fire to bear on the detachment. Sgt. Davies, however ran to one of the guns and acting as No. 1 engaged them knocking out three German Mk.111 tanks and causing a fourth an Italian M.13, to surrender. His coolness under fire and his gallant conduct undoubtedly prevented the enemy tanks from breaking through the position at a spot where its consequences would have jeopardised the safety of the rest of the Brigade.’ (Recommended by Major J. S. Freeland, 4th Sussex Regiment) .

The second battle of El Alamein opened on 23 October 1942. The 4th Royal Sussex Regiment as part of the Royal Sussex Brigade formed part of the 10th Armoured Division. The Division went into action on the second night, with the object of deepening the gap in the enemy minefields made by the initial assaulting divisions. This attack, in support of the 2nd New Zealand Division on the Miteiriya Ridge, made no headway. On the third night the Brigade was withdrawn, having suffered heavily from enemy shelling and mortar fire in the conjested routes between minefields. It was pushed into the attack again on 27 October as part of a force to capture the positions ‘Snipe’ and ‘Woodcock’. Gaining ‘Woodcock’ the Brigade attempted to consolidate its position but was over-run by German and Italian forces before it could be supported by allied armour. The 4th Royal Sussex Regiment casualties numbered 47 killed and wounded and 343 missing; the battalion was practically wiped out, their survivors being absorbed by the 2nd battalion.

It was in the action against the ‘Snipe’ position that the Rifle Brigade gained everlasting fame and their commanding officer, Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Turner, the Victoria Cross.