Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War ‘North West Europe’ Immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Corporal D. T. Evans, 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, who, during the capture and defence of the hamlet of Varkenshoek, Holland in October 1944, charged a building alone and silenced an enemy post killing one machine gunner and forcing the remaining enemy to withdraw in disorder

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14200791 A. Cpl. D. T. Evans. R.W. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted court-style for display, good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jim Henshaw Collection of Medals to the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

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M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The recommendation for the Immediate award of the M.M. states:

‘On the night 24/25 Oct 44, “C” Coy, 6 RWF, were ordered to capture VARKENSHOEK. L/Cpl. Evans was commanding the leading section of the platoon detailed to clear a group of houses. By skillful and determined leadership L/Cpl. Evans captured his objective and drove the enemy from the houses and dug-outs they were holding. On reaching their final objective, the Company came under heavy fire from a house. Completely disregarding the enemy’s fire, L/Cpl. Evans charged the building alone and silenced the enemy post killing one machine gunner and forcing the remaining enemy to withdraw in disorder. During the whole of the attack and the subsequent consolidation when the Coy was isolated and cut off for many hours, L/Cpl. Evans showed outstanding qualities of courage, initiative and devotion to duty.’

David Talfryn Evans was a native of Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, serving with 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, as part of 53rd (Welsh) Division, and was decorated for his gallantry at the capture and defence of the hamlet of Varkenshoek during the wider operations to liberate the medieval fortress city of ‘Den Bosch’ in October 1944.