The superb Second World War 'Battle of Boulogne' D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant D....

The superb Second World War ‘Battle of Boulogne’ D.C.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant D. J. Jones, 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards, for his repeated gallantry during the defence, 22 - 25 May 1940, including during the ‘final stand’ at the harbour railway station. Jones was subsequently taken prisoner of war and interned at Hohenfels, Germany Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (2733460 Sjt. D. J. Jones. W. Gds.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, minor edge nicks, generally very fine or better (6) £3,000-£4,000 --- Provenance: Hayward & Hall, September 1969. D.C.M. London Gazette 26 February 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘This N.C.O. was one of the few senior Sergeants left behind in the closing stages of the battle of Boulogne in May 1940, after the main body had been withdrawn during the night of 23rd May. All through the very testing and trying 36 hours that ensued until 25th May, he worked with indefatigable energy and exhibited extreme courage under the worst possible conditions. He assisted in organising the defence of the harbour railway station where the final stand was made; twice he climbed over the breastworks to help remove ammunition trucks which had been hit by enemy fire and was exploding, although all the time he was exposed to accurate German small arms and machine gun fire. When efforts were made to establish contact with the other side of the harbour to obtain help, this Sergeant volunteered to cross in a small row boat. This he did, accompanied by a Frenchman. They were nearly successful in their mission when their craft was hit by enemy fire, sank and they were forced to return as the Frenchman was wounded. Sergeant Jones helped him in the water to the safety of dry land. He was seldom absent from the front line defences and his cheerfulness was infectious, although the position was always utterly hopeless. The soldiers under his command were deeply infected by this N.C.O.’s bravery, cheerfulness and great devotion to duty and were themselves inspired to perform their duties with fortitude and energy. The reason why this citation has not previously been submitted, is because the initiator was informed that Sgt. Jones had died on the line of march ‘en route’ to Germany as a POW. The initiating officer has just returned from BAOR to discover this N.C.O. is still alive.’ David John Jones served with the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Guards during the Second World War, and served with them during the Battle of Boulogne, 22 - 25 May 1940. The Battalion fought heroically alongside the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, culminating in a last stand on 25 May. The majority of surviving British troops were evacuated via the harbour when the situation had become hopeless. However, a composite force of stragglers under the command of Major J. C. Windsor Lewis, 3 Company, Welsh Guards formed up having not made it to the docks on time. Initially defending the quayside sheds, Windsor Lewis and his men were forced in to the harbour railway station. On the evening of 24 May, under fire from tanks and machine-guns, they repulsed a German party which approached the quay in a boat. Without food, short of ammunition and with no hope of evacuation, the force surrendered at 1:00 p.m. on 25 May. The Germans captured approximately 5,000 Allied troops in Boulogne, the majority of whom were French. Jones was subsequently taken prisoner of war and interned at Hohenfels, Germany.