Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 212

(x) An immediate Battle of Asten 1944 M.M. group of seven awarded to Warrant Officer Class 2 R. F. Cockel, 25 Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (848883 W.O.Cl.2. R. F. Cockel. R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., Territorial (848883. W.O.Cl.2. R. F. Cockel. R.A.), good very fine (7)

M.M. London Gazette 1 March 1945. The original recommendation for an Immediate award states:

'On 28 & 29 October 1944 25 Field Regiment was supporting 7 US Armored Division in the action south of Asten. This Warrant Officer, as Battery Sergeant-Major of 'B' Troop, was on duty at the gun position during the 36 hours which the action lasted.

For the last 24 hours of this period, the Troop position was under heavy shell fire. Throughout 29 October the situation was critical and there was imminent danger of tanks and infantry over running the gun position.

Throughout the action, this Warrant Officer kept the guns supplied with ammunition and the detachments fed, despite the danger of movement in the area. On three occasions when heavy shelling was in progress, he organised evacuation of wounded with complete dis-regard for his own personal safety. His cheerfulness and coolness had a very steadying influence on the detachments and his courage and devotion to duty were an inspiration to all around him.'

Reginald Frank Cockel was born at Eastbourne, Sussex but was living at Porthcawl by the outbreak of the Second World War. The action in which he won his M.M. was notable for the share 25 Field Regiment played together with our American allies. They are noted as having fired some 10,000 rounds on 29 October 1944 alone, in the act of throwing off repeated enemy counter-attacks. The Germans attempted a double-envelopment supported by 30 tanks and artillery, which closed to within 300 yards of their position at one point. Besides his M.M., Lieutenant-Colonel K. R. Brazier-Creagh took an immediate D.S.O. for the hot events.

Cockel returned home and worked at Porthcawl Motors after having been the last full-time fireman at that place. He married in 1942 with issue of two sons and a daughter. The gallant soldier died in August 2007; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£600 to £800

Starting price
£480