Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part III)

A fine Second World War North-West Europe operations M.M. awarded to Craftsman D. D. J. Calver, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, attached No. 1 Squadron, 4th Armoured Battalion, Coldstream Guards (6th Guards Armoured Brigade)

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14328257 Crmn. D. D. J. Calver, R.E.M.E.), naming slightly off-centre, extremely fine £1800-2200

M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘On 16 October 1944, during the engagement for the crossings of the Molen Beek [in Holland] by 185 Infantry Brigade, supported by 4th Armoured Battalion, Coldstream Guards, a number of tanks became bogged at the approach to both the bridge sites. Immediate recovery became vital.

The tanks were bogged in open ground and enemy Panthers were seen within 1000 yards. Craftsman Calver, R.E.M.E., attached No. 1 Squadron, 4th Armoured Battalion, Coldstream Guards, but operating from the A.R.V. of another Squadron, showed himself conspicuous not only by his willingness to undertake any task throughout the day, but when under shell fire volunteered immediately to expose himself without regard to his personal safety in order that the work of recovery should continue unhindered. It was largely due to his energy and excellent work under fire that this recovery was completed so quickly.

As a result of the speedy and successful work of recovery the tanks were recovered from the open ground and the approaches to the bridge were cleared and further tanks were able to cross Molen Beek and assist in the consolidation of the bridgehead.’

Dennis Desmond John Calver was subsequently wounded by a shell which killed an officer who was in close proximity to him, while attached to No. 2 Squadron at Bucholt on the Siegfried Line on 20 February 1945.