Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Private G. F. Wells, East Yorkshire Regiment, who was evacuated during the retreat from Dunkirk in 1940, and later landed at Sword Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944, where he was wounded in action

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (4547337. Pte. G. F. Wells. E. Yorks.) mounted as worn, minor edge bruising and scratches, generally very fine (5) £300-£400

G. F. Wells, a pre-war enlisted soldier with the East Yorkshire Regiment, served with the British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War, and was evacuated during the retreat from Dunkirk in 1940. He later served with 2nd Battalion during the Normandy Invasion, landing aboard Lieutenant Rutherford’s Landing Craft on Queen Red Sector, Sword Beach, on D-Day, 6 June 1944, on which date he was wounded in action.

Wells’s battalion landed at 0725 hours where heavy mortar, machine gun and artillery fire fire were encountered. ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies, supported by tanks, were to break through the beach obstacles, and then ‘A’ Company, along with ‘C’ Company, South Lancashire Regiment, would attack and eliminate the strong point Cod, which consisted of a 75mm gun, two 50mm anti tank guns, three 81mm mortars, a 37 mm gun, and five machine gun posts. Meanwhile, ‘B’ Company were to move inland and assault the strong point Soul with ‘C’ company in support. The next task was to attack and eliminate the Daimler Battery, a heavily defended gun battery with four 75mm guns capable of firing onto the invasion beaches. This was the main responsibility of ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies, supported by tanks of the 13th/18th Hussars.

Strong point Cod was taken by 1000 hours and Soul was overrun by 1300 hours. Daimler Battery was put out of action by 1800 hours with little loss and 70 prisoners taken. The East Yorkshires continued to advance to the village of St. Aubin d’Arquenay and were relieved by the King’s Own Scottish Borderers that evening. Casualties suffered by the East Yorkshires were 5 officers and 60 other ranks killed, and 4 officers and 137 other ranks wounded, including Wells.

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