1141 Brigadier William Anthony SHEIL, CBE, DSO*, Royal Artillery: 29/04/1945

Personal Number: 1141
Rank: Brigadier
Name: William Anthony SHEIL, CBE, DSO*
Unit: Royal Artillery


London Gazette : 27 February 1917
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/29963/page/2023/data.pdf
REGULAR FORCES.
The undermentioned Gentlemen Cadets, from the R. Mil. Academy, to be 2nd Lts. 28th Feb. 1917:—
ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
R.H. and R.F.A.—
William Anthony Sheil.

London Gazette : 11 July 1930
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33624/page/4362/data.pdf
ROYAL REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
The undermentioned are secd.:—
Capt. W. A. Sheil, whilst holding the appt. of Instr., Equitn. Sch. 19th June 1930.

London Gazette : 15 August 1930
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/33634/page/5093/data.pdf
ESTABLISHMENTS.
The undermentioned appts. are made:—
Capt. W. A. Sheil, E.H.A., from Instr., to be Adjt., Equitn. Sch. 30th July 1930.

London Gazette : 14 January 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35862/supplement/320/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East: —
The Distinguished Service Order.
Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) William Anthony Sheil (1141), Royal Regiment of Artillery (Res. of Off. ) (Castleknock, Co. Dublin).

London Gazette : 21 October 1943
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36217/supplement/4661/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Sicily: —
Bar to the Distinguished Service Order.
Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) William Anthony Sheil, D.S.O. (1141), Royal Regiment of Artillery (Res. of Off.) (Clonsilla, Co. Dublin).

 

Recommendation for Award for Sheil, William Anthony Rank: Major Service No: ... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/59/977
Name Sheil, William Anthony
Rank: Major
Service No: 1141
Regiment: Royal Regiment of Artillery, Reserve of Officers
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Middle East (Egypt and Libya)
Award: Distinguished Service Order
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 14 January 1943





Listed:
The Times, Friday, Jan 15, 1943 ARMY AWARDS, SERVICES IN THE MIDDLE EAST

From Volunteers from Eire, see this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/resear...ire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852

Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) William Anthony Sheil, Royal Regiment of Artillery (Reserve of Officers), was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
On October 27th, 1943, Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil was ordered to engage the enemy locality known as “Stirling” which observed fire from the whole of his regiment. It was a difficult and intricate task as advanced elements of our infantry had reached the outskirts of the locality during the previous night and were pinned by enemy fire, and opposing tanks were manoeuvring in the area.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil considered the task so important and so difficult that he undertook it himself. He worked his way forward to an observation post within 500 yards of the locality, identified our own troops, and then ranged his regiment on to the actual enemy defences while our own and enemy tanks fired at each other over his head. Our own tanks then advanced, and he saw the enemy anti-tank gunners man their guns. He brought down a regimental concentration on them and saw them run back to their dug-outs.

Our attack failed owing to 88 mm. fire from far out on the flank, so Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil proceeded to pound the locality with his regiment all day. So destructive was this fire that the infantry attack on the locality that night met with practically no opposition and found the defences full of enemy dead.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil’s action was an inspiration to the rest of the Divisional Artillery and contributed largely to the successful capture of this important locality.
Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil comes from Clonsilla, Co. Dublin.

 

Recommendation for Award for Sheil, William Anthony Rank: Major, Temporary... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/3/497
Name Sheil, William Anthony
Rank: Major, Temporary Lieutenant Colonel
Service No: 1141
Regiment: 128 Horse Field Regiment; Royal Artillery
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Sicily
Award: Bar to Distinguished Service Order
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 21 October 1943



Listed
The Times, Friday, Oct 22, 1943 ARMY AWARDS, GALLANTRY IN SICILY

From Volunteers from Eire, see this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/resear...ire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852
Major (temporary Lieutenant-Colonel) William Anthony Sheil, Royal Regiment of Artillery (Reserve of Officers), was awarded the Distinguished Service Order.
On October 27th, 1943, Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil was ordered to engage the enemy locality known as “Stirling” which observed fire from the whole of his regiment. It was a difficult and intricate task as advanced elements of our infantry had reached the outskirts of the locality during the previous night and were pinned by enemy fire, and opposing tanks were manoeuvring in the area.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil considered the task so important and so difficult that he undertook it himself. He worked his way forward to an observation post within 500 yards of the locality, identified our own troops, and then ranged his regiment on to the actual enemy defences while our own and enemy tanks fired at each other over his head. Our own tanks then advanced, and he saw the enemy anti-tank gunners man their guns. He brought down a regimental concentration on them and saw them run back to their dug-outs.

Our attack failed owing to 88 mm. fire from far out on the flank, so Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil proceeded to pound the locality with his regiment all day. So destructive was this fire that the infantry attack on the locality that night met with practically no opposition and found the defences full of enemy dead.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil’s action was an inspiration to the rest of the Divisional Artillery and contributed largely to the successful capture of this important locality.

Later, Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil was awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order. At France Fonte on July 14th, 1943, as C.O. of his regiment and senior artillery officer on the spot, he was responsible for organising the fire support for the attack of and infantry brigade.
Enemy parachute troops were offering very stubborn resistance, were sniping very accurately and were attempting to regain the initiative.
With complete disregard of danger Colonel Sheil went right forward in person to identify the actual centre of resistance which no one else could locate. After a daring reconnaissance he observed the fire of his regiment on to several strong-points and, when this was impossible, himself manhandled 6-pounders and a 17-pounder into action at short range, and then directed their fire. His leadership and inspiring example were a considerable contributory factor to the successful issue of a hard-fought fight.

Lieutenant-Colonel Sheil comes from Clonsilla, Co. Dublin.

 

https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2041859/william-anthony-sheil/
BRIGADIER WILLIAM ANTHONY SHEIL
Regiment & Unit: Royal Artillery
Secondary Unit, Regiment and Commands and Staff General Staff
Date of Death: 29 April 1945
Buried or commemorated at REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY
Grave Reference: 61. D. 2.
Location: Germany
Awards: Commander of the Order of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order and Bar