Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An unusual Second War 1941 ‘North Africa’ M.M. group of six awarded to Driver E. Lewis, Royal Army Service Corps, for saving the life of his wounded Sergeant, whilst under severe attack from the air and ground forces. Due to a case of mistaken identity Lewis was not recognised with his well earned award until September 1947

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (T.172782 Dvr. E. Lewis. R.A.S.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for wear, good very fine (6) £700-900

M.M. London Gazette 25 September 1947, the recommendation dated 20 February 1941, states:

‘On the 15th Feb. 1941, the driver performed a most brave action on the Agedabis - Bengasi Road in the face of severe dive-bomb and machine gun attack from the air. His N.C.O. Sgt. Barker was lying helpless and wounded near a burning vehicle, and the driver, while the attack was still on, went forward 100 yds and dragged his N.C.O. to safety and under cover.’

The above award was originally gazetted, 9 May 1941, but erroneously to another man with the same surname and in the same unit, with one digit of his service number different. The clerical error was not recognised until after the war, by which time official measures were taken to make sure that ‘Edgar Lewis’ as opposed to ‘Samuel Edward Lewis’ was recognised with the award of the Military Medal for his gallantry on 15 February 1941.

Edgar Lewis was born in Llandilofawr, Carmarthenshire, in May 1916. He served during the Second War as a Driver with the 58th Company, Royal Army Service Corps, as part of the 7th Armoured Division in North Africa.

Sold with the following original items and documents: named card box of issue for M.M., with named enclosure for award, and envelope addressed to ‘Mr. E. Lewis, Melbourne House, Garnant, Ammanford, Carm.’; card box of issue for campaign awards, with enclosure slip, addressed to recipient at the same address; a file of copied research - which includes official correspondence relating to the mis-allocation of the M.M. to another man, and the rectification of the process.