Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War ‘Withdrawal form Dunkirk’ D.S.O. group of eight awarded to Major G. S. Jones, 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment (Territorial Army), late Royal Field Artillery, who, on the night of 1-2 June 1940, directed the embarkation of many officers and ordinary ranks from the beach at Dunkirk: ‘standing up to the chest in water and under heavy shell fire he assisted exhausted soldiers into the boats who in sodden clothing with equipment and arms might otherwise have drowned’

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, reverse officially dated 1940, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (2.Lieut. G. S. Jones. R.F.A.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. S. Jones.); 1939-45 Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the Second War awards all privately engraved ‘Major G. S. Jones. D.S.O. T.D.’; Efficiency Decoration, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, reverse officially dated 1937, with integral top riband bar, mounted as worn and housed in a Spink, London, leather case, edge bruising and contact marks to the Great War awards, these nearly very fine, the rest better (8) £2,400-£2,800

D.S.O. London Gazette 22 October 1940:
‘In recognition of gallant conduct in action with the enemy.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘During the withdrawal of the Battalion from Raches to Dunkirk, 23-29 May 1940, Major Gilbert Sidney Jones, 6th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment, showed the greatest skill in finding routes with inadequate maps and was largely responsible for keeping the unit together and preserving its fighting efficiency. At every position held by the Battalion with complete disregard for his own safety he worked night and day in a manner which inspired officers and men alike. In particular at Dunkirk on the night of 1-2 June 1940 he directed the embarkation of many officers and ordinary ranks. Standing up to the chest in water and under heavy shell fire Major Jones assisted exhausted soldiers into the boats who in sodden clothing with equipment and arms might otherwise have drowned. It was impossible to embark all the unit that night but it was not until the last boat had left that this officer ceased his self-appointed task and although on the point of collapse he guided the remnants of the two companies remaining to a comparatively safe place, on the beach, where he ordered them to dig themselves in and rest. The following day the unit was shelled and bombed almost ceaselessly and despite his ordeal of the night before he assisted his Commanding Officer to reorganise the remains of the Battalion and make preparations for embarkation the following night. Under Major Jones the rear party of 6 Lincolns showed an exemplary bearing during the final withdrawal and evacuation.’

Gilbert Sidney Jones was born in Stamford, Lincolnshire, in 1892 and was educated at the University of London. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Field Artillery from the University’s O.T.C. on 6 July 1915, and served with them during the Great War on the Western Front from 30 November 1915. Advanced acting Captain, he transferred to the Lincolnshire Regiment (Territorial Army) on 1 February 1919, was promoted Major on 1 June 1933, and was awarded his Efficiency Decoration in 1937 (London Gazette 19 November 1937).

Prior to the outbreak of the Second World War, Jones commanded “D” (Stamford) Company, 4th Battalion, Lincolnshire Regiment (Territorial Army). Following the outbreak of War, he transferred as Second in Command to the newly raised 6th Battalion, and left for France in April 1940. The Battalion fought valiantly and to much purpose in the rearguard action, finally reaching the beaches of Dunkirk on 1 June, where, for his bravery in assisting the evacuation of troops, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. He was presented with his D.S.O. by H.M. The King at Buckingham Palace on 6 August 1940.

A dentist in civilian life, Jones later became Chairman of the Stamford branch of the Lincolnshire Regiment Old Comrades Association. He died in Stamford on 3 February 1959.

Sold together with two books on Dunkirk, The Epic of Dunkirk, by E. Keble Chatterton, and Dunkirk and After, by G. Beckles; and a large quantity of copied research, including various group photographs and a photographic image of the recipient.