Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘North Africa’ M.M. group of six awarded to Fitter Gunner First Class W. F. Davey, Royal Horse Artillery, later Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, who displayed considerable courage on more than one occasion when attacked by the tanks of Rommel’s Afrika Korps

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (791729 L.Sjt. W. F. Davey. R.A.) suspension claw slightly loose; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style for display, minor contact marks, good very fine and better (6) £800-£1,000

M.M. London Gazette 18 February 1943.

The original Recommendation states: ‘This Sergeant Fitter has done some magnificent work both in maintaining the Battery’s vehicles and recovering vehicles from dangerous country in front of our O.Ps. On several occasions, he has worked on abandoned vehicles under heavy shell fire until he has been able to drive them back into our lines. On one occasion, in the last campaign, he continued to work on a broken down portee while in the middle of a tank battle. This N.C.O.’s consistent courage, cheerfulness and complete disregard of his own safety has been an outstanding example to the other men of the Battery, and he has been responsible for saving a large number of vehicles from either falling into the enemy’s hands or being destroyed.’

William Frederick Davey was born in the Parish of Fratton, Portsmouth, on 8 January 1915. He attested for the Royal Artillery as a 14 year-old schoolboy on 1 May 1929, and was immediately sent to the Military College of Science at Woolwich. He mustered as Gunner on 8 January 1933, and served in Cairo from 17 August 1936 in the rank of Bombardier Artificer. Posted to “D” Battery, 3 Brigade, Royal Horse Artillery, on 1 August 1939, Davey witnessed extensive active service in North Africa and was recommended for a B.E.M. in March 1942 whilst serving with 7th Armoured Division. Downgraded to a ‘mention’ (London Gazette 9 September 1942), the surviving WO 373/88 entry offers a good insight as to the intensity of the campaign at that time:
‘Bdr (Art) William Frederick Davey., 3 Regt. R.H.A., 791729., On 21 Nov. 1942 near Sidi Rezegh the B Echelon of 7 Sp. Gp. was attacked by a large number of German tanks and thrown into considerable confusion. Bdr. Davey immediately collected up the vehicles of his battery and several others of other units which were under fire from the tanks and led them to a safe place. Bdr. Davey’s prompt action undoubtedly saved many of these vehicles and their drivers and much valuable equipment from being captured. Throughout the past two years in the Western Desert Bdr. Davey has shown untiring devotion to duty. On many occasions he has worked under fire in the forward area and repaired guns and portees thereby enabling them to be brought into action with the least possible delay.’

Davey saw further active service in Normandy from 18 June 1944, being granted the substantive rank of Sergeant. Transferred to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, he was posted to 21 Advance base workshop and re-mustered as Fitter Gunner 2nd Class in the spring of 1945. Following a brief spell with BAOR, he was finally discharged upon completion of engagement on 10 February 1954.

Sold with extensive copied research including the recipient’s Army Service Record.