A Collection of Awards to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

A scarce Second War ‘North-West Europe’ Immediate M.M. group of eight awarded to Staff Sergeant T. H. E. Walters, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, for his repeated gallantry in an Armoured Recovery Vehicle extricating flaming tanks from battle positions and uncleared minefields

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7588463 Sjt. T. H. E. Walters. R.E.M.E.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Cyprus (7588463 S/Sgt. T. H. E. Walters. R.E.M.E.); Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R., 2nd issue (Talana Herbert Edward Walters) edge prepared prior to naming; Army L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (7588463 S/Sgt. T. H. E. Walters. M.M. R.E.M.E.) number officially corrected on last, light contact marks, generally good very fine (8) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

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M.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘On 8 January 1945 “A” Squadron was detached to support 8 Infantry Brigade in the attack on Wanssum Wood, and Sergeant Walters in command of the Squadron A.R.V. accompanied it. A tank received a direct hit in Wanssum, and Sergeant Walters went up to it in its battle position under extremely heavy D.F. fire and towed it out although it was still on fire. He then went down to help the Canadians recover seven “Kangaroos” which were blown up on an uncleared minefield, and were under direct observed fire from the other side of Maas.
Subsequently he went back to recover one of the Squadron’s tanks from the same minefield, but was driven back by the accuracy of the fire from the further bank; however, he returned after nightfall and worked on it until 02:00 the following morning in spite of continuing harassing fire and enemy patrols.
During the period Sergeant Walters was in command of the only available A.R.V. and throughout displayed outstanding initiative in his efforts to recover the maximum number of vehicles and a complete disregard for his own safety.’

Talana Herbert Edward Walters was born on 2 December 1921 and served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the Second World War. In civilian life he was employed at the Ministry of Defence, and was awarded the Imperial Service medal upon his retirement in 1987 (London Gazette 13 February 1987). He died in 1995.