Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Family group:

A fine Second War ‘North West Europe’ 1944 M.C. group of seven awarded Lieutenant Colonel F. W. ‘Tosty’ Finnigan, 179 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery - awarded for the battle of Hill 112, which Field-Marshal Rommel considered to be “The most important hill in Normandy, for whoever has control of it has control of all around it” and of which Lieutenant-General Horrocks said, “Hill 112 is the cornerstone of the Normandy Campaign.”

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Major. F. W. Finnigan. M.C. R.A.); Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial, last unnamed, mounted as originally worn, with related mounted miniature awards, light contact marks overall, very fine

A Second World War ‘Italian theatre’ M.B.E. group of five awarded to Mrs J. S. Finnigan, Young Men’s Christian Association

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E., (Civil) Member’s 2nd type, breast badge, silver, lacking riband; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, campaign awards mounted as originally worn, with related mounted miniature awards, very fine (lot) £1,400-£1,800

M.C. London Gazette 21 December 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘On 10 July on Hill 112 this officer came up from the gun area to command his battery supporting 5 DCLI in the Orchard. When the DCLI were driven out on 11 July this officer co-ordinated the covering fire which enabled the Bn. to counter attack and re-take the Orchard. Under constant mortar and M.G. fire he directed the fire of his battery and O.P.s with considerable skill and complete disregard of his own safety.

He has been supporting the infantry on Hill 112, and although on a reverse slope; and under fire he has by his offensive energy and resource kept the enemy under observation and has given excellent support to his Bn. and caused considerable destruction to the enemy.’

Francis Walter ‘Tosty’ Finnigan was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Artillery in August 1939, and advanced to Captain in October 1941. He served served as a Temporary Major with 179 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery as part of the 43rd Division, 12th Corps throughout the North West Europe Campaign. Finnigan distinguished himself in the fighting in Normandy, June - July 1944, in particular in the battle for Hill 112. The following for that period is given in the history of The Worcestershire Regiment website (179 Field Regiment, being formed from the 12th Battalion, The Worcestershire Regiment in March 1942):

‘17th June 1942 the 179 Field Regiment sailed in the S.S. Sam Houstan for Normandy. They eventually arrived off Arramanches on the 19th June 1944, and after an awful week, not being able to unload, they finally fired their first round in anger at 0200 hrs. on the 26th June 1944. The next few days were very hectic. The Division was centred round Cheux and some very lively battles took place. Lieut.-Colonel Pethick was wounded on the 27th June 1944 while on a reconnaisance with Capt. R. R. Woodward, and the Second-in-Command, Major Sir J. E. Backhouse, assumed command of the Regiment, but was replaced by Lieut.-Colonel W. D. Blacker on the 3rd July. Slowly the Division pushed forward to Colleville, Mouen, Tourneville, Verson, and Fountaine Etoupefour, and on the 10th July 1944 the attack went in on to Hill 112. The guns never stopped firing and in one recorded 15-minute period the Regiment fired 1800 rounds in response to calls from the infantry, who were fighting a magnificent battle to hold the hill feature. Major R. G. Mapp, R.A., died of wounds received in this attack, and Capt. G. C. Robinson was wounded while going to relieve him. This left Sergeant Trevis responsible for the fire support of the 7th Somerset Light Infantry, which he did for many hours, subsequently receiving the D.C.M.

The next morning Lieut.-Colonel W. D. Blacker was killed by enemy mortaring and Major Sir John Backhouse wounded. This left Major T. M. Brewis in command of the regiment.

The fighting was colossal at this period, the Division being on one side of Hill 112, the Germans on the other. Any attempt by either side to gain the top of the ridge being a sure way to suicide. Many times the Germans tried to push the Regiment back, but men held their ground. Many died in this action and, although it was the Regiments first sight of “the little wooden cross,” none of them will forget those moments when Padre Wilson made a moment of peace in a world of insanity and enabled the men to forget their anger and think of those whose hardship was now greater than theirs. Padre was to be seen everywhere, always with that helping hand.

It is not possible to give details of all the little things which saved the day, but perhaps Bombadier Rooney’s is typical. A three-tonner was hit by a shell; standing next to it was one filled with ammunition; he got in and drove it away. Those are the simple facts, imagination can help with the rest of the story. These things were happening in every section of the Regiment and always the chance was taken, an accident averted.’

Finnigan advanced to Lieutenant Colonel, and died in February 1992. He is buried with his wife in the St. Peter’s Churchyard, Hambledon, Surrey.

M.B.E. London Gazette 22 January 1946: Jean, Mrs Finnigan, Leader, Young Men’s Christian Association Canteen Service [Italy].

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 January 1946 [Italy].

Jean Sime Finnigan (nee Douty) was the wife of the above, and died in June 1992.