Noonans (formerly Dix Noonan Webb)
Lot 73
A rare Second War ‘Battle of Venraij, October 1944’ M.C. and ‘River Escaut, May 1940’ M.M. group of six awarded to Major Frederick Bell, 2nd Battalion, The Royal Warwickshire Regiment Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1945; Military Medal, G.VI.R. (5107913 Sjt. F. Bell. R. War. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine (6) £4,000-£5,000 --- M.C. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The recommendation for an Immediate M.C., dated 23 October 1944, states: ‘Maj BELL commanded “D” Coy in the opening and subsequent phases of the battle for VENRAIJ. The initial role of this Coy on the 16th Octoberwas to make a bridge-head across a dyke through which the assaulting Coys in the attack proper would pass. The attack to make the bridge-head was a particularly difficult one. There was a great deal of opposition both from small arms and DF Mortar fire, and the approaches to and exits from the obstacle was strewn freely with Schu Mines. Maj BELL, in spite of known previous losses through Schu Mines, personally led his Coy to and across the obstacle at great risk to himself. On the other side his Coy was engaged by a tank or SP from a nearby farm. Mj Bell, by his personal action in visiting his forward Pl under heavy fire, directed PIAT and other fire upon the farm building which caused the enemy to withdraw. By this time he had lost in casualties his Second-in-Command and all his Pl officers. From then onwards he personally led the Coy, forming up in rear of the assaulting Coy. At each stage of the attack he was to be found up with the leading Pl calmly organising and supervising a plan for attack or re-organisation on the objective, quite regardless of personal risk, which was great owing to continuous enemy mortar and shell fire. Finally, on the objective in BRABANDER - Northern outskitrs of VENRAIJ, he personally supervised the layout of the whole of his Coy down to sec posts. His devotion to duty, calmness, courage, determination and cheerfulness throughout the operation, lasting from 0400 hrs until dusk were an example to all and were infectious.’ M.M. London Gazette 20 August 1940. According to Personal Diary of Captain L. T. Tomes, 2nd Batt. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment, privately printed in 1946 (copy sold with Lot), Sergeant Bell was put up for the M.M. for the action at Hollain, River Escaut, on May 20th and 21st, 1940, and further good work later on up to the Battalion’s capitulation on the 28th May, 1940, in the action at Womhoudt, on the Dunkirk perimeter. Tomes was than a Lieutenant and Adjutant of the 2nd Battalion. He was taken prisoner of war and wrote the diary ‘immediately I arrived in a permanent camp, from what I remembered from the War Diary which I had been keeping’ (accompanying letter from the author refers). Major Frederick Bell is listed as having been wounded in May 1945. Sold with a comprehensive selection of documents, news cuttings, a 3rd British Infantry Divisional commendation card for the attack on Le Blois 13th August 1944, case of issue for M.C. and accompanying named enclosure with card box and Registered envelope addressed to Major Bell, M.C., M.M., Purley, Surrey, Certificate of Service until discharged to a commission on 17 December 1940, Officers’ Release Book, his Royal Warwicks side cap, and a silver tankard, hallmarked London 1945, inscribed below regimental crest ‘Major F. Bell M.C. M.M. from all ranks of D. Company 2nd Batt Royal Warwickshire Regt British Liberation Army 1944-1945.’
