Royal Artillery - Recommendations for Honours & Awards

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From The Times, Monday, July 8, 1940

ARMY AWARDS

GALLANT REARGUARD ACTIONS
FINE LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE
The War Office issues the following list of immediate awards by the Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force:-

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
MONAGHAN, T.S.M. P., R.A.
Throughout the operations in Belgium and France T.S.M. Monaghan showed conspicuous courage, foresight, and initiative. As a result of his determination all four guns of his troop reached the Dunkerque area intact and in full fighting order. At daybreak on June 2 after orders had been given for embarkation and a hitch in the supply of boat had occurred, T.S.M. Monaghan found a sailing-boat containing food, but no crew. He took charge of the boat and sailed it across the Channel without charts, with nearly 200 officers and men on board. The boat was located by the Dover Patrol 24 hours later and brough safely into harbour.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7652847&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Monaghan, P
Rank: Troop Serjeant Major
Service No: 1065892
Regiment: 13 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: British Expeditionary Force 1939-40
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 20 December 1940
Date 1940-1942
Catalogue reference WO 373/16

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From The Times, Monday, July 8, 1940

ARMY AWARDS

GALLANT REARGUARD ACTIONS
FINE LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE
The War Office issues the following list of immediate awards by the Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force:-

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
DOOLEY, LANCE-SERGEANT, M., R.A.
On the afternoon of May 30 Sergeant Dooley's anti-tank gun was subject to heavy and continuous small arms and mortar fire from German positions on the far bank of the canal. The position had to be held for another two days in order to cover the withdrawal and embarcation of the rest of the force. Sergeant Dooley held the position with his small detachment of five men and one Bren gun sniping everyone in view till 10 a.m. on June 1, when penetration round his flanks made the position untenable. By his resistance carrying out as infantry role and by his sterling leadership Sergeant Dooley's action considerably influenced the whole course of the battle.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7652858&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Dooley, M
Rank: Lance Serjeant
Service No: 1017735
Regiment: 13 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: British Expeditionary Force 1939-40
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 20 December 1940
Date 1940-1942
Catalogue reference WO 373/16

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From The Times, Monday, July 8, 1940

ARMY AWARDS

GALLANT REARGUARD ACTIONS
FINE LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE
The War Office issues the following list of immediate awards by the Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force:-

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL
O'SULLIVAN, T.S.M., J., R.A.
At St. Vanant on May 27 T.S.M. O'Sullivan was directing the fire of the one of his anti-tank guns during a heavy enemy attack when the No. 1 and one man of the detachment were killed and two others wounded T.S.M. O'Sullivan, though himself hit in the arm, with one other unwounded man continued effectively to fire the gun until the remaining unwounded man was hit. He then manned the gun alone and destroyed at least one other tank before a shell put the gun out of action and again wounded T.S.M. O'Sullivan.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7652848&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name O'Sullivan, J
Rank: Troop Serjeant Major
Service No: 808244
Regiment: 13 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: British Expeditionary Force 1939-40
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 20 December 1940
Date 1940-1942
Catalogue reference WO 373/16

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From The Times, Monday, July 8, 1940

ARMY AWARDS

GALLANT REARGUARD ACTIONS
FINE LEADERSHIP AND COURAGE
The War Office issues the following list of immediate awards by the Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force:-

MILITARY MEDAL
ISHERWOOD, GUNNER ALFRED, R.A.
In the North Sea on the night May 27-28 Gunner Isherwood displayed conspicuous gallantry on board the SS Marquis during an attack by a German motor torpedo boat. Gunner Isherwood was armed with a Lewis gun, which he fired with effect from an exposed position in the SS Marquis. He was subjected to heavy enemy fire, and, on one occasion, his gun was disabled by an enemy bullet. He recovered his gun and continued to engage the enemy craft until it was finally silenced, showing throughout a complete disregard for his own safety.

No name given, but this is the only other Isherwood search result which would fit:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7652885&queryType=1&resultcount =2

Name Isherwood
Rank: Gunner
Service No: 916001
Regiment: Hopkinson Mission Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: British Expeditionary Force 1939-40
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 20 December 1940
Date 1940-1942
Catalogue reference WO 373/16

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Captain (temporary Major) Richard Milliken, Royal Regiment of Artillery, was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.

An officer of outstanding technical ability and practical experience of artillery equipments, he has also a rare gift of importing his knowledge and by his immensely helpful manner makes himself welcome wherever he goes. To him was largely due the excellent co-operation of the American long-range artillery in the opening battles. Later he was given the task of training French artillery in the use of 6-pounders, a job which he did outstanding successfully - teaching both the tactical as well as the technical handling.

Almost all his work is done in the forward areas, and wherever trouble is to be found, there will be found putting it right. In times of heavy fighting he has, by his practical skill and good sense, repeatedly kept guns in action which would otherwise have had to have been evacuated to the rear.

Major Milliken was born in Dublin.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7676394&queryType=1&resultcount =1

Name Milliken, Robert
Rank: Temporary Major
Service No: 123370
Regiment: Royal Regiment of Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia)
Award: Order of the British Empire
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 23 September 1943
Date 1943
Catalogue reference WO 373/71

See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

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Gunner Michael Burke, Royal Regiment of Artillery, was awarded the Military Medal.

On the evening of August 21st, 1943, near Scaletta, the position on which Gunner Burke was manning a gun came under continuous heavy shellfire from the Italian mainland for three-quarters of an hour. Large-calibre shells landed among the guns and dispersed the vehicles and eventually set fire to a Matador loaded with 4.5-inch shells and charges which burnt furiously.

Gunner Burke, with complete disregard of danger while shells still fell around, stood on the Matador and threw off the flaming boxes of charges, despite the added danger of the ammunition on the Matador exploding.
By his efforts the fire was put under control and extinguished, despite severe burn to his hands and arms. If this had developed, the smoke from the fire would have drawn further heavy fire from the mainland, which must have resulted in damage to guns and vehicles and caused casualties among the gun detachments.

Gunner Burke was born in Tipperary.

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

Name Burke, Michael
Rank: Gunner
Service No: 948374
Regiment: 7 Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Sicily
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 18 November 1943
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/3

See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

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Gunner W. Moloney, Royal Artillery, was awarded the Military Medal.

The address of his next-of-kin is Tramore, Co. Waterford.


See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

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Second-Lieutenant George Edward Pinsent Fawcett, Royal Regiment of Artillery, was awarded the Military Cross.

On January 31st, 1942, Second-Lieutenant Fawcett was in command of an troop of Bofors providing anti-aircraft defence of a field-gun position near Carmusa which was assisting in covering the withdrawal of our main forces from the Martuba area. A strong enemy column attacked the position, and enemy infantry succeeded in surprising and overwhelming the field-gun position. Second-Lieutenant Fawcett, with great coolness and presence of mind, succeeded in disengaging two of his guns and placed them in action to cover the withdrawal of the vehicles which had managed to avoid encirclement. The gun on which he positioned himself was subjected to heavy fire from an anti-tank gun, but due to this determination and cheerful encouragement the gun continued to bring fire to bear on the enemy. This gun alone fought a rearguard action which delayed the enemy lorried infantry, and caused them to call up their anti-tank gun. The delay, though of short duration, enable the rest of the field battery and other vehicles to get clear.

Second-Lieutenant Fawcett himself took the most exposed duty at the gun. When the gun tractor was put out of action and the eventual capture of the gun became a certainty, he ordered the men to make their escape and, with calm deliberation in the face of heavy machine-gun and rifle fire, disabled his gun and took the breech away, burying this at a distance from the gun. He made his own way through enemy lines and after three days succeeded in making his escape, together with three Indian soldiers whom he had picked up, after a journey on foot of some 80 miles. Throughout this action Second-Lieutenant Fawcett showed great resourcefulness and devotion to duty, and due to his inspiring courage and determination undoubted saved the greater part of his troop from capture.

Second-Lieutenant Fawcett was born in Roscrea, Co. Tipperary.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7654018&queryType=1&resultcount =2

Name Fawcett, George Edward Pinsent
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service No: 155220
Regiment: 170 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery Royal Artillery, 57 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 23 April 1942
Date 1942
Catalogue reference WO 373/19

London Gazette:
15 November 1940
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34995/supplements/6617
21 April 1942
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35532/pages/1795


See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

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Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Harry Charles Neil Maxwell Oulton, Royal Horse Artillery, was awarded the Military Cross.

On September 28th, 1943, Captain Oulton’s regiment in support of an infantry group was ordered to capture and secured the river crossing in the River Sarno. The enemy was encountered in the act of preparing the Scafati Bridge for demolition. Captain Oulton took prominent part in the fighting for the bridge, using both 25-pounders and a machine-gun. On continuing with the landing elements he came under heavy machine-gun and 75-mm. fire from German tanks at 300 yards range.

He established an observation post in a house and came under heavy mortar fire, one shell of which killed his signaller and some others landed in his post two feet away from him. He continued to observe for some time until ordered to withdraw. His initiative and courage contributed largely to the capture and consolidation of the bridgehead.

Captain Oulton comes from Dublin.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7644336&queryType=1&resultcount =3

Name Oulton, Henry Charles Neil Maxwell
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 10194
Regiment: 3 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 13 January 1944
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/4

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7672434&queryType=1&resultcount =3

Name Oulton, Harry Charles Neil Maxwell
Rank: Lieutenant, Temporary Captain
Service No: 101947
Regiment: 3 Regiment Royal Horse Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Bar to Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 24 January 1946
Date 1945-1946
Catalogue reference WO 373/56

London Gazette:
27 October 1939
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/34719/pages/7254

11 January 1944 [M.C.]
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/36327/pages/255

15 September 1975
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/46685/supplements/11643



See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

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Lieutenant (acting Captain) Robert Ringrose Gelston Atkins, Royal Regiment of Artillery, (since killed in action), was awarded the Military Cross.

On January 21st, 1943, Captain R.R.G. Atkins was Forward Observation Officer with the leading troop of a battalion of the London Irish Rifles, when the platoon was attacking some hills North of Bou Arada.

Throughout the day this officer performed his duties with outstanding gallantry. At one period in the action, he found himself in a nullah with a platoon of the London Irish Rifles who had lost their officers and senior non-commissioned officers, and were being subjected to accurate and destructive mortar fire.

Captain Atkins immediately took charge, exposing himself, regardless of danger, to locate the mortar - putting heavy fire on it, and laying a smoke screen in order that the wounded could be evacuated.

Throughout the action, Captain Atkins showed determination, skill and resource, in addition to great devotion to duty.

Captain Atkins was born in Dublin.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7643334&queryType=1&resultcount =2

Name Atkins, Robert Ringrose Colston
Rank: Temporary Captain
Service No: 94732
Regiment: The Ayrshire Yeomanry, 152 Field Regiment Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North Africa (Algeria, Tunisia)
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 23 September 1943
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/2

London Gazette:
24 January 1941
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35056/supplements/537

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=2104561
Captain ROBERT RINGROSE GELSTON ATKINS, M C 94732, 152 (The Ayrshire Yeomanry) Field Regt., Royal Artillery who died age 23 on 25 January 1943
Son of Brigadier Robert Ringrose Gelston Atkins and Ena May Gelston Atkins.
Remembered with honour MEDJEZ-EL-BAB WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: 15. G. 13.



See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852