A remarkable and rare Second War D-Day D.S.M. awarded to Leading Seaman R. H. D. Cullimore, Coxswain of an L.C.A. (H.R.) at the assault on Gold Beach in the Normandy Landings when, after completing his primary task of discharging his ‘Hedge-Row’ battery of 24 spigot mortars, he volunteered to assist clearing the beaches of obstacles using “sticky” bombs

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (L.S. R. H. D. Cullimore, D/JX. 363000) mounted on original investiture brooch, extremely fine £3,000-£4,000

D.S.M. London Gazette 14 November 1944: ‘For gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy. Leading Seaman Robert Harry Daniel Cullimore, D/JX.363000 (Tockington, Nr. Bristol).’

The original recommendation by Lieutenant N. B. L. Wallace, R.N.V.R. states ‘Cullimore disposed of beach obstacles under heavy machine gun fire, when using “sticky” bombs with a five second fuse.’

Robert Harry Daniel Cullimore was born in London, Kensington, in 1923, and by the time of the award of the Distinguished Service Medal was living in Tockington, near Bristol. Cullimore was Coxswain of an LCA (HR) a special Landing Craft Assault of the ‘Hedge-Row’ variant which had been specially modified with a battery of 24 spigot mortars. Having guided his LCA (HR) onto Gold Beach the mortars were to be discharged onto the beach to clear enemy mines and other obstructions. Cullimore’s LCA (HR) was part of the 591st LCA (HR) Flotilla in Assault Group “G” Two, commanded by Lieutenant N. B. L. Wallace, R.N.V.R., who recommended Cullimore for a decoration. It becomes clear from reading the recommendation for Lieutenant Wallace’s own Immediate D.S.C., that Cullimore’s D.S.M. was awarded for dangerous work above and beyond his allotted task as Coxswain of an LCA (HR). As Flotilla Officer, 591st LCA (HR) Flotilla, Wallace was tasked with firing HR close inshore during the initial assault on Gold beaches during operation Neptune, 6th June 1944. His recommendation states:

‘Lieutenant Wallace brought his flotilla of small craft up to a maximum efficiency during the very short period available preceding the assault. In spite of difficult weather and adverse conditions off the beaches, the whole of his LCA (HR) Flotilla arrived on time and carried out their allotted tasks with considerable effect under enemy gunfire.’

Force “G” Assault Group Commander, Rear Admiral C. Douglas-Pennant, added: ‘Though several of his craft were sunk on passage due to bad weather, this officer pressed on to the assault with the remainder of his flotilla under their own power and carried out their allotted task with the utmost determination. After the assault when many of his craft had been sunk, he called for volunteers and in the face of enemy opposition led a party to assist in clearing the beaches of obstacles.’

So Cullimore was clearly one of Wallace’s volunteers helping to clear beach obstacles using so-called “sticky” bombs with five second fuses. Such work, using ‘plastic’ explosives or “sticky” bombs to dispose of large welded metal beach obstacles was a task assigned to the specially trained frogmen of the LCOCUs, the Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Units, rather than the likes of Cullimore whose principal remaining task at that stage of the operation should have been to steer his LCA away from the beach into safer water. One must therefore conclude that his LCA was in some way disabled or sunk.