Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War Italian theatre D.C.M. group of seven awarded to Serjeant L. Stevenson, 2/5th Battalion Sherwood Foresters - for breaching the Gothic Line

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (4985522 Sjt., Foresters); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed; General Service 1918-62, E.II.R., 2 clasps, Malaya, Cyprus (22563647 Sgt., D.C.M., Foresters) last with correction to unit, edge bruising and contact marks, very fine (7) £4000-5000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A fine Collection of Medals to the Sherwood Foresters.

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D.C.M. London Gazette 8 February 1945. ‘When first contact was made with the enemy on the Gothic Line across the River Foglia on the 30th of August 1944. Sgt. Stevenson’s platoon was pinned to the ground by heavy machine gun fire from houses about 946728 map reference. After an advance over some 800yds. of open and mined ground, enfiladed from both sides by batteries of enemy machine guns; the platoon reached a house where it was pinned by further machine guns on both flanks. This N.C.O. followed by a small group of men displaying courage of the highest order, charged at one house occupied by another machine gun, he himself killed both members of the crew. He then collected one of the Section of the platoon and charged two more strong machine gun positions, again killing and capturing every one of the enemy. Sgt. Stevenson, throughout the period of fighting from 26th August 1944 to 5 September 1944 has shown unsurpassed courage and leadership which in no small way contributed to the outstanding success of the breach of the Gothic Line.’

Leonard Stevenson enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters on 25 January 1941, having joined as a 17 year-old in 1939. In 1942 he was posted to North Africa with 2/5th Battalion. He fought in the desert campaign in North Africa before being posted to the Middle East on 21 February 1944 and then to Italy on 27 June 1944. It was for his part in breaching the Gothic Line in September 1944 that he won a most well deserved D.C.M. at Monte Vecchie. After the war he remained with the regiment, being posted to the B.A.O.R. and latterly seeing service in Malaya and Cyprus during the 1950’s. He finally retired from the Army on 13 June 1967. After his retirement he was employed as a Security Officer at Ericsons Telecommunications at Beeston, Nottinghamshire. Leonard Stevenson died at Chilwell, Nottingham on 2 March 2001, aged 78 years. He was given a full military funeral by his regiment.


With an original group photograph, ‘The Potential Officer Cadre, Midland Brigade, 7 January 1956 - which includes Sergeant Stevenson; and copied research, including war diary extracts and service details.


One of eight D.C.M’s. awarded to the Sherwood Foresters during the Second World War.