A Collection of Awards to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

A good Second War 1943 ‘North Africa’ D.C.M. group of nine awarded to Warrant Officer Class II J. F. Lewis, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, for repeated gallantry in the recovery of disabled tanks from minefields whilst under shell fire, including on one occasion when he crawled on his hands and knees through a field known to contain booby traps and mines Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (1425952 W.O. Cl. II J. F. Lewis. R.E.M.E.); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine (1425952 S. Sjt. J. F. Lewis. R.A.O.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (1425952 S/Sjt. J. F. Lewis. R.E.M.E.) mounted court-style for wear, generally very fine (9) £2,400-£2,800 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 25 November 1943. The original recommendation (for a M.M.) states: ‘This WO has, from the outset of the campaign, displayed outstanding devotion to duty and has never hesitated to carry out the recovery of all types of equipment including AFVs in the face of the enemy. On many occasions he has taken recovery vehicles under shell and mortar fire to disabled tanks and vehicles and by his skill and coolness under fire has organised and supervised their immediate recovery. On the night 22/23 Apr 1943 he supervised the recovery of 6 tanks and one Scorpion under direct shell fire from the minefields to the North of the Takrouna feature near Enfidaville. On the night of 23/24 Apr 1943 he again recovered 2 tanks from the same minefield as the previous night and also 2 more tanks from the west of Takrouna. On the night 24/25 Apr 43 he supervised the recovery of 2 tanks from the North West of Takrouna and personally went on hands and knees to investigate another tank under shell fire so intense that no vehicle could get near to it. To do this he had to cross a field known to contain booby traps and mines. Several subsequent attempts were made to recover this one remaining disabled tank and finally on the day of 14 May 43 he succeeded in doing this under shell fire, first of all taking welding equipment to the tank to cut away very badly jammed tracks which had rendered previous recovery impossible. These are but a few examples of the outstanding initiative shown by this WO which have proved a fine example and inspiration to all ranks who have worked with him in his recovery Section.’ 1 of only 6 D.C.M.’s awarded to the R.E.M.E. between 1920-1997. James Frederick Lewis served with the 8 Armoured Brigade Workshop, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in North Africa during the Second War.