Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second World War North West Europe campaign M.M. group of four awarded to Trooper S. G. Knight, Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers)

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14231042 Tpr. S. G. Knight, Notts. Yeo.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, the first with old repair to suspension and one or two edge bruises,otherwise very fine and better (4) £1800-2200

M.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘During the attack on Heinsberg on 24 January 1945, the tank driven by Trooper Knight was hit and penetrated by A.P., wounding the co-driver and Trooper Knight. In spite of the fact that the tank caught fire, Trooper Knight drove his tank to some cover before baling out. Having left the tank he was fired on by an enemy machine-gun post. However, noticing that the co-driver was in difficulties, he immediately climbed back into the tank and assisted to get the co-driver out of the burning tank to a place of safety.

Trooper Knight then made his way back to the Regimental R.A.P. but on the way he met another of the squadron tanks attempting to cross the open ground to Heinsberg. He halted the tank, warned the tank commander where the danger lay, then climbed on the tank and attempted to guide it to a position from where the enemy S.P. gun, which knocked out his own tank, could be engaged. In spite of his efforts, this second tank was also hit and “brewed up”. When Trooper Knight eventually reached the R.A.P., he was found to be seriously wounded.

The above incident is typical of this man’s conduct, who, in spite of having been “knocked out” in three tanks, on this occasion, showed courage and coolness of the highest order.’

Samuel George Knight, who was born at Poplar in November 1923, was serving in 8th Brigade, 12 Corps at the time of the above action at Heinsberg; sold with original Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for his M.M. and an old wooden plaque upon which it was onetime displayed.