5571789 Sergeant Francis Arthur Eyers DCM MM, 4th Bn. Wiltshire Regiment

Discussion in 'British Army Units - Others' started by Drew5233, Dec 12, 2009.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Immediate.

    On 5th October 1944 Sergeant Eyers was in command of Forward Platoon North of Elst. During the previous night considerable enemy infiltration had taken place behind his platoon. Two attempts to clear this up by another platoon had failed owing to heavy MG fire from several directions. A third attempt was made and Sergeant Eyers rushed forward under enemy MG fire and silenced the nearest MG post with a grenade and Sten. Shouting to two of his section to follow him, he led them in a bayonet charge. This assault completely over ran the next enemy post and as the enemy were concentrated in a small area the platoon got well into the enemy positions. By his dash and daring the enemy were completely surprised and demoralised to such an extent that in this action 97 PW's were taken by Sergeant Eyres and nine men. The success of the attack was entirely due to the outstanding courage and personal dash of Sergeant Eyres, and by his leadership and example he inspired his men to clear up a nasty situation.

    Gazetted 1.3.45
     
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  2. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Cheers Andy, he was awarded his MM for rescuing & tending the wounded during the fighting at Maltot, Normandy in July 1944.
    A few days after his DCM action he was wounded by shrapnel & lost an eye.
    As well as that DCM he was also awarded a Commission in the field.
    He died in 2002.
    Source Martin McIntyre The Wiltshire Regiment 1914-1959
     

    Attached Files:

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  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    No worries mate. Good to see a picture of him. Unfortunately a MM book is evading me at the moment but a MC one is in the post as we speak.
     
  4. patrickeyers

    patrickeyers Member

    Many thanks for the information. Frank Eyers was my Grandfather, and a superb, modest man (who almost never talked about his war experiences). His DCM and MM made him the most decorated regular/NCO in WW2 in the Wiltshires (or so I was informed), and he lived a happy life in Salisbury, where he enjoyed a drink, his family (5 grandchildren, including me!) and a healthy tobacco intake. Does anyone know what happened to the picture of Sgt. Eyers, be great to see it again. Does anyone know what became of the Vly club for ex-Wiltshires?
    Pat Eyers
     
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  5. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  6. patrickeyers

    patrickeyers Member

    Many thanks. Will get hold of the book.
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Owen - You could at least dig out the original citations for Pat, now you know how ;)
     
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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  9. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

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  10. patrickeyers

    patrickeyers Member

    Many thanks for these. Never seen these official forms signed by Monty. I do know he was presented with one in the field and attended the palace for the DCM. Pat
     
  11. Jolly Squire

    Jolly Squire Member

    Patrick,

    Yes, The Vly Club is still about, though I believe that there are hardly any members left. The secretary is Jeff Matthews in Devizes, a good friend of mine. I can pass you his details if you wish. On behalf of the 4th Battalion Old Comrades, Jeff lays a wreath at the De Laar farm Wiltshire monument in South Arnhem, each year on the first Wednesday of October. This is the same location where your grandfather won his award.

    JS



     
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  12. patrickeyers

    patrickeyers Member

    Dear JS, yes, please pass on my details to Jeff, whose name rings a bell (although I may be imaging that I know the name). Certainly would be interested in visiting Arnhem in the future to honour Grandad.
    Pat
     
  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    If you can get to the National Archives in London and assuming he served with the 4th Bn for the duration of the war, these are the battalions war diaries covering all of the war that you may want to look at.

    WO 166/4738 INFANTRY: 4 Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's).1939 Sept.- 1941 Dec.
    WO 166/9016 4 Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's) 1942 Jan.- Dec.
    WO 166/12773 4 Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's) 1943 Jan.-Dec.
    WO 171/1394 4 Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's) 1944 Jan.- Dec.
    WO 171/5290 4 Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's) 1945 Jan.-Dec.
    WO 171/9296 4 Wilts 1946 Jan.- July

    Good luck
    Andy
     
  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

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  15. patrickeyers

    patrickeyers Member

    Thanks chaps. National Archives would be worth a visit. Northern Europe even more so. Any others interested in trips over?
     

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