Royal Armoured Corps

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Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) David Dawnay, 10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales’ Own), Royal Armoured Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for devotion to duty and outstanding leadership during operations between April 5th, 1943, and April 26th, 1943, in support of an infantry brigade.

During this period Lieutenant-Colonel Dawnay’s “Churchills” accomplished feats in support of the infantry which were previously considered impossible. Owing to this skilful manoeuvring, outstanding leadership and determination to give the maximum support to the infantry he was very largely responsible for the capture of at least three important objectives including “Longstop” with comparatively light casualties to personnel and tanks.

During battle Lieutenant-Colonel Dawnay keeps the closest control over his sub-units and by his firm command combined with encouragement invariably gets the very best out of his officers and men. His own action in battle is an inspiration to his battalion.

Lieutenant-Colonel Dawnay was born in Waterford.

From Gerry's site: http://www.northirishhorse.net/articles/21.html
http://www.northirishhorse.net/articles/8.html

http://www.geocities.com/vqpvqp/nih/addenda/Dawnay.html

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=first_na me%3ddavid%7clast_name%3ddawnay&catid=22&pagenumbe r=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

Recommendation for Award for Dawnay, David
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 28293
Regiment: Attached North Irish Horse Royal Armoured Corps
Award: Distinguished Service Order

Recommendation for Award for Dawnay, David
Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 28293
Regiment: Royal Armoured Corps, 21 Army Tank Brigade
Award: Bar to Distinguished Service Order

London Gazette
8 April 1941
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35133/supplements/2090
26 June 1945
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37151/supplements/3375
16 July 1946
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37657/supplements/3726
20 February 1948
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/38217/supplements/1417

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

[Tom Canning]

DFB -
After Afrika - we got him as Brigade Commander - 21st Tank Bde - just before the Diadem battle at Cassino - he took us all the way through the Gothic Line to Venice - then he disappeared into another big job - he was good leader and most apologetic when he announced that my battalion - 145th RAC was to be broken up and the NIH would take our place......the avatar I display was made in Italy to celebrate his arrival........ and some said it was a self portrtait ! he was a
bit of a devil - but a good leader - caught us swimming when allegedly broken down - didn't say much to us I thought he wanted a swim also - he said more when we lost a Tank from sheer stupidity - a lot more -using words I had never heard before !!!

Cheers

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Hi Tom,Hope this is the right Brigade Commander, and you don't mind me posting this link.My favourite story of yours anyway.BBC - WW2 People's War - Green Envelopes for Tank Brigade, Rimini

[Tom Canning]

DBF -

That's the one and only - I still get a chuckle out of the memory of that - unfortunately we got another Tank in the a.m. but it didn't last too long as it was knocked out and we lost Trevor - with Harry and myself wounded - then in the December we were broken up for spares as we were running out of bodies by then...
Cheers

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Captain (temporary Major) Anthony Desmond Rex Wingfield, Royal Armoured Corps (Hussars), was awarded the Military Cross for conspicuous gallantry and leadership in action.

Major Wingfield was commanding the leading squadron of his regiment in the action with the enemy north-west of Saunnu on January 23rd, 1942. The squadron was attacked by 12 German tanks from the left, and simultaneously enemy anti-tank guns opened fire at short range on his right flank. With skilful use of smoke and by brilliant handling of his squadron, Major Wingfield not only extracted his squadron from a delicate position, but by his initiative overran and destroyed several anti-tank guns and killed their crews. He subsequently engaged the enemy tanks, which were forced to withdraw after several had been hit. Later, he personally returned in his own tank under fire and collected the crews and the wounded of his disabled tanks. No praise can be too high for this officer’s outstanding courage, leadership and devotion to duty.

Major Wingfield was born in Dublin.

Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel), 39358, Anthony Desmond Rex Wingfield, M.C., Royal Armoured Corps, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.

On March 26th, 1943, his regiment was detailed to protect the echelons and cover the rear of an Armoured Brigade during its advance on El Hamma during the night 26th-27th.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wingfield, as night fell, found the echelons held up by a defile with the enemy on his right and left. He deployed his force in pitch darkness to protect the echelon and succeeded in getting the whole of his force through the defile without loss. When the advance continued at midnight the echelons came under fire from the flanks from enemy who had been left behind during the advance. Lieutenant-Colonel Wingfield handled his force in such a manner that no casualties were incurred and a large number of prisoners were collected.

At first light a tank attack by the 15th Panzer Division started to develop against the rear of the division. Lieutenant-Colonel Wingfield immediately moved his regiment at high speed to frustrate this attack. He went ahead himself under fire to reconnoitre positions for his squadrons before they arrived. The speed with which this operation was carried out prevented any serious attack developing, and gave time for the divisional anti-tank screen to get into positions. The enemy tanks withdrew hastily as soon as the regiment arrived.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wingfield’s example of determination and courage under fire in very trying circumstances was an example to everyone who came into contact with him, and it was mainly due to him that the echelons were moved successfully through the enemy positions during the hours of darkness and that the rear of the division was saved from enemy tank attack at first light.

Lieutenant-Colonel Wingfield was born in Dublin.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=scope%3d 39358&catid=22&pagenumber=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

Recommendation for Award for Wingfield, Anthony Desmond Rex
Rank: Captain
Service No: 39358
Regiment: 10 Royal Hussars
Award: Military Cross

Recommendation for Award for Wingfield, Anthony Desmond Rex
Rank: Major
Service No: 39358
Regiment: 10 Royal Hussars
Award: Distinguished Service Order

Recommendation for Award for Wingfield, Anthony Desmond Rex
Rank: Brigadier
Service No: 39358
Regiment: 22 Armoured Brigade
Award: Officer of the Order of Leopold with palm and Croix de Guerre 1940 with palm

London Gazette:
28 May 1943.
Gazette Website: PDF Navigator
1 June 1943
http://www.gazettes-online.co.uk/iss.../2517/page.pdf
23 September 1947
Gazette Website: PDF Navigator


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

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The Times, Friday, Sep 04, 1942

HUSSARS' WAR RECORD

GALLANTRY ON MANY FRONTS

Some details of the services in this war of the Hussar regiments in the British Army have just been issued. These regiments, once the lightest of light cavalry, are now all mechanized, but they retain their identity through forming part of the Royal Armoured Corps.

Two regiments, the 15/19th and the 10th, one north of the Somme, the other landing at Cherbourg, took part in the fighting in France, but the theatre of which there is most to tell is North Africa. There the 7th, 8th, and 11th Hussars were the first troops to go into action after Italy's entry into the war, distinguishing themselves by their bold, almost impudent, raids, and manoeuvres beyond the Libyan frontier. Finally, when the Italian Army came forward in earnest, they were withdrawn.
In General Wavell's offensive of December, 1940, these three regiments again took a brilliant part. It is difficult to choose among outstanding actions, but mention should be made of the feat of Lieutenant C.A. Halliday and his troops in capturing 400 prisoners in an attack on the first day. All through the pursuit and in practically every action they played their part. In the race from Mekili to cut the Benghazi-Tripoli road the 11th was in the van, and the 7th was the first to engage the huge Italian column coming down from the north.

In General Auchinleck's offensive of last November the Hussars were once more in the forefront. One of their greatest feats was when the brigade, under the command of Brigadier G.M.O. Davy, swept forward on to Sidi Rezegh aerodrom and captured 19 aircraft with their crews. In January comes the first mention of another regiment, last seen in France, the 10th. One squadron under Major A.D.R. Wingfield was simultaneously attacked on one flank by 12 German tanks and on the other by anti-tank guns. He first charged the anti-tank guns, destroying several and killing the detachments. Then he turned on the tanks and forced them to withdraw.


IN GREECE AND CRETE

Hussars also took part in the fighting in Greece and in Crete, fully living up to the tradition they had established in North Africa. It was near Ptolemais on the Epirus front that Sergeant G. Clarkson, covering retiring infantry with his tank, destroyed two German tanks with his first three shots.

The Hussars next fought in Crete. It was there that Sergeant-Major W.J. Childs began the day of May 20 by shooting five German parachutists as soon as they had landed. That afternoon he accounted for several of the enemy who were guarding British prisoners of war. On the 26th he took part in a successsful counter-attack. On the 29th he took his tank to the aid of a British unit which, as a result, was able to hold a strong point at Imbros throughout the day. On May 30, in the retreat from Imbros to Sphakia, he repeatedly held up the enemy, thinning their ranks with accurate fire.

The Hussars were also engaged in Burma, where they did very fine work on several occasions. Wherever they have appeared they have lived up to their old tradition for dash.

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The Times, Thursday, Aug 17, 1939

LIGHT TANK CORPS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND

COUNTY CONTINGENTS

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT
BELFAST AUG 16

The formation of a Light Tank Corps for Northern Ireland, announced in the House of Commons some months ago, is now being undertaken, and the War Office has decided to allot the Corps to the counties of Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Armagh. This is the area of the old North Irish Horse, and means the revival of this Corps in a mechanized form.

The scheme for forming a Light Tank Corps for Northern Ireland was put forward by the Prime Minister (Lord Craigavon) some months ago when discussions were taking place on the extension of the Territorial Forces in Northern Ireland.

The headquarters of the Corps will be in Enniskillen, with Captain Sir Basil Brooke (late 10th Hussars) in command and Lord Erne (late Royal Horse Guards) as second in command. The Fermanagh contingent will be under the command of Mr. Geoffrey R.J. Corbett, D.S.O. (late of the Coldstream Guards). The Tyrone headquarters will be at Dungannon, and those of County Armagh at Armagh under the command of Captain C.N.L. Stronge, M.C. (late Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers).

It is stated that each county will have a force of 100 men in addition to officers, warrant and non-commissioned officers.

The counties of Down, Antrim, and Londonderry have formed anti-aircraft and searchlight batteries.

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The Times, Wednesday, Apr 05, 1939

NEW ARMOURED CORPS

MEN TO BE TRAINED TOGETHER

FULL LIST OF UNITS

The new Royal Armourd Corps, the formation of which was announced yesterday, will consist of 18 regiments of the Cavalry of the Line which are already mechanized or are about to be machanized, as well as all the units of the Royal Tank Corps, Regular and Territorial Armies (which will be called The Royal Tank Regiment).

In view of the decision the mechanized further regiments of Cavalry of the Line, all Regular units - except 1st The Royal Dragoons and The Royal Scots Greys (2nd Dragoons) - of that Corps will be equipped with armoured vehicles analogous to those of units of the Royal Tank Corps. It is, therefore, necessary that the soldiers of all mechanized cavalry regiments and tank battalions should be trained and administered similarly as far as possible, and also, that all such units of the Regular Army serving at home should share the responsibility of providing drafts of trained soldiers for such units abroad.

SEPARATE LISTS
For the present officers will remain, or be gazetted, to separate regimental lists unless and until they voluntarily accept liability to serve elsewhere. All majors of units of the Royal Armoured Corps will be equally eligible for consideration for selection as the commanding officers of any unit of that corps.

For Regular soldiers enlistments in the Royal Armoured Corps will begin as soon as possible, and men enlisting therein will be liable to serve in any Regular unit of the corps either at home or abroad.

Soldiers belonging to the cavalry regiments transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps will be transferred to the new corps and posted to one of its cavalry units or to the depot; but in peace time they will not be legally liable, without their consent, to serve in any but Regular cavalry units or the depot of the Royal Armoured Corps during the period of their current engagement with the Colours. Similarly, Regular soldiers of the Royal Tank Corps serving at the date of transfer will be transferred to the Royal Armoured Corps, and may be posted to any Regular unit of the Royal Tank Regiment or to the depot; but in peace time they will not be legally liable to serve, without their consent, in any other unit of the Royal Armoured Corps during the period of their current engagement with the Colours.

NEW AGREEMENT
On completion of the period of their current engagements with the Colours, Regular soldiers of the new corps, who originally enlisted in the Cavalry of the Line or in the Royal Tank Corps, will be required to agree to serve in any unit of the Royal Armoured Corps, as a condition of prolongation of Colour service. No change in the existing conditions of service of Supplementary Reservists or of men of the Territorial Army is involved.

The cavalry regiments which are to become units of the new corps will be relieved of the responsibility for training recruits, which responsibility will be transferred to a Mechanized Cavalry Depot. Ultimately all recruits for the Royal Armoured Corps will be trained together at one depot, and will undergo a course common to soldiers of all units of that corps. For the present there will be no change in clothing.

UNITS INVOLVED
The units which form the Royal Armoured Corps are as follows:-

1st King's Dragoon Guards.
The Queen's Bays (2nd Dragoon Guards).
3rd Carabiniers (Prince of Wales's Dragoon Guards).
4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards.
5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards.
3rd The King's Own Hussars.
4th Queen's Own Hussars.
7th Queen's Own Hussars.
8th King's Royal Irish Hussars.
9th Queen's Royal Lancers.
10th Royal Hussars (Prince of Wales's Own).
11th Hussars (Prince Albert's Own).
12th Royal Lancers (Prince of Wales's).
13th/18th Royal Hussars (Queen Mary's Own)
14th/20th King's Hussars.
15th/19th The King's Royal Hussars.
16th/5th Lancers.
17th/21st Lancers.

All units at present forming part of the Royal Tank Corps, Regular and Territorial Armies (which will be called the Royal Tank Regiment).

[Tom Canning]

DBF -

Good accounts of the Irish in the Hussars - they were everywhere - usually in the softer jobs (sic) - we had one in our Squadron always claimed he was Church of Ireland - and so missed all Church Parades - shot down an ME109 from the top of his tank - and got himself an MM. - a real character...
Cheers

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From The Times, Saturday, May 10, 1941

MIDDLE EAST AWARDS
GALLANT SERVICE RECOGNIZED

TANKS CAPTURED BY A TROOPER
DARING AND INITIATIVE

The War Office has issued a description of some of the deeds for which these awards were made. The following are a few typical episodes: -

MAJOR R.F.G. JAYNE, R.A.C. (Hussars), D.S.O.
This officer was in command of a squadron of light tanks which was compelled to withdraw under heavy fire; he noticed the three members of the crew of a tank, which had been knocked out, running from the enemy, and immediately went back 200 yards to their assistance. In spite of concentrated fire from enemy tanks he helped the men on to his tank and got them out of the action. His prompt action and entire disregard for his own safety undoubtedly saved the lives of these men, and it was due to his coolness and presence of mind that the entire squadron was able to withdraw from the action without any other loss. The qualities of judgment and leadership displayed by Major Jayne throughout the campaign have been conspicuous.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/search-results.asp?searchtype=browserefine&query=first_na me%3dronald%7clast_name%3djayne&catid=22&pagenumbe r=1&querytype=1&mediaarray=*

Recommendation for Award for Jayne, Ronald Frances Garland
Rank: Major
Regiment: 7 Queen's Own Hussars
Award: Distinguished Service Order

Recommendation for Award for Jayne, Ronald Francis Garland
Rank: Major
Service No: 33394
Regiment: 7 Queen's Own Hussars
Award: Bar to Distinguished Service Order

TROOPER E. HUGHES, R.T.R., R.A.C., D.C.M.
The troop to which Trooper Hughes belonged was ordered to investigate two enemy tanks in the vicinity the Troop Commander had been ordered not to open fire unless it was absolutely necessary, in order to conceal his position, and Trooper Hughes was accordingly sent forward alone on foot to investigate.

With complete disregard for his own safety he climbed on to the first tank and demanded the surrender of its crew at the point of the revolver. The crew having surrendered he advanced to the other tank, whose crew also surrendered. This very brave action enabled his troop to remain in their concealed position throughout the night and to take the enemy by surprise when they again went into action.

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7653228&queryType=1&resultcount =2

Name Hughes, Elfed
Rank: Trooper
Service No: 7888901
Regiment: 2 Battalion Royal Tank Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 09 May 1941

[Please note that these men are not part of the Volunteers from Eire list.]