Beschreibung:

The outstanding and unique Second World War 'North-West Europe 1944' immediate M.M. and Bar group of five awarded to Squadron Sergeant-Major J. T. 'Paddy' Caulfield, 24th Lancers and 1st Royal Tank Regiment, a 'wild Irishman' and ex-waiter at Lyons Corner House, who refused to depart the scene of battle on being seriously wounded Military Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (7927891 Sjt. J, T. Caulfield. 24-L.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5) M.M. London Gazette 19 October 1944. The original recommendation states: 'On 26th June 1944, Sergant Caulfield was commanding a 17-pounder Sherman at Tessel Wood. He was ordered to investigate and silence an anti-tank weapon which was firing at his Squadron's tanks and which could not be located. He found five Panthers and with the assistance of another tank he destroyed two of them and forced the rest to take cover. He was then ordered to assist a troop of Sherman 75mm's which could see some enemy tanks but was unable to engage them successfully. By moving from position to position he succeeded in destroying two Panthers and probably damaged others. By the bold skilful handling of his tank this N.C.O. inflicted a heavy loss upon the enemy.' Bar to M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The original recommendation states: 'On 23 August 1944, Sergant Caulfield was in command of a Sherman 17-pounder tank operating in support of 1/5 Battalion, The Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment east of Lisieux. The Infantry reported a Panther Tank approaching and Sergeant Caulfield was ordered to move and cover the road down which the Panther was coming. Sergeant Caulfield went right forward on foot beyond the Infantry to look for a good position for his tank and came under heavy Spandau fire while doing so. He was wounded in the head but continued to command his tank. The Panther appeared in Sergeant Caulfield's sights but his gun misfired and he was hit in the suspension. He finally got off the round and the enemy tank withdrew. Sergeant Caulfield continued to fight his tank and to direct the infantry on to targets and refused to leave his tank until ordered to do so by his Troop Leader. He was finally carried away still demanding to be allowed to return to his tank. This N.C.O.'s fighting spirit was a great example and encouragement to the infantry and possibly prevented a withdrawal. He undoubtedly saved many lives by remaining at his post and engaging the enemy's fire.' John Thomas Caulfield - or 'Paddy' to his comrades - served with distinction with the 24th Lancers during the North-West Europe campaign. Having been raised in December 1940, they were active in the field over the nine weeks having landed on D-Day +1, before being disbanded without notice. Like many units raised for the rigours of the Second World War, they had an auspicious start, as referred to in the None had Lances - The Story of the 24th Lancers: '[31 January 1941] Who were all these civilians in uniform? It would be tedious to list all 283 of them but they included a milkman and a publican, a company director, a general merchant and a timber importer, a butcher and a fishmonger, commercial travellers, clerks and local government officers, a barrister, a solicitor and a solicitor's clerk, a park keeper and a coal merchant, an estate agent, two building contractors and a cement worker, a medical student and a photographer, an insurance agent, a furrier, a hairdresser and a bus conductor, two bus drivers, a machine operator from The News of the World and a gents' outfitter. There came Sid Smith, the billiards champion, and from the musical world, Maurice Miles, the well-known orchestral conductor and Peter Barbirolli, the viola player, brother of the late Sir John. Finally there was one conscientious objector who had to be guarded night and day until he left us. Some arrived in sports cars complete with golf clubs and much luggage. Others came with their basic necess