Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A good Second War ‘North West Europe 1944’ D.C.M. awarded to Acting Sergeant W. F. Trevis, 179th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, for extraordinary conduct during the battle for Hill 112 whilst in command of the Observation Posts of his Battery over a period of 12 hours for the most part of which he was under enemy mortar and shell fire Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (1126866 A. Sjt. W. F. Trevis. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, the first on its original investiture pin, extremely fine (4) £2,000-£2,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 21st December 1944. Presented personally by Field-Marshal Montgomery on 24 November 1944. The recommendation states: ‘On 9 July 1944, this N.C.O. was acting as O.P.A. to Major Mapp who was commanding the Battery in support of the infantry at Chateau de Fontaigne. Major Mapp was killed in the morning and both O.Ps were deployed and pinned to the ground. Bombardier Trevis at Battalion H.Q. then took command and assumed the Major’s responsibilities, co-ordinated the work of the O.Ps and brought down fire whenever required by the Battalion. The officer who crawled up from the gun area to relieve him was wounded and it was not until 2000 hrs that another officer could be made available. Bombardier Trevis therefore commanded the Battery for a period of twelve hours for the greater part of which he was under enemy mortar and shell fire. During this period it was entirely due to his own efforts that the artillery support for the Battalion did not fail, and the information he passed continuously to the Regiment was of immediate value to the Divisional Artillery and to 214 Infantry Brigade. He did a job which would have been a credit to any Battery Commander.’ 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.” William Frederick Trevis of Rye Park, Hoddesdon, ‘joined the Army in September 1941. He was previously vice-chairman of the St Cuthbert Parochial Church Council, and a member of the Men’s Club committee. Since the award [of the D.C.M.] he has been promoted to sergeant.’ (News cutting refers). Sold with substantial background information on the battle for Hill 112.