Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 564

An immediate 'Commando Operations' D.S.C. group of five attributed to Lieutenant R. C. Wiles, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, for his daring part in the landing north of occupied Nijmegen in 1945

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1945', hallmarks for London 1945, the reverse additionally engraved 'Lieut. R. C. Wiles. R.N.V.R.'; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, very fine (5)

D.S.C. London Gazette 19 June 1945:

'For gallantry, daring and marked devotion to duty in Commando operations on the Dutch coast during the invasion of North West Europe'.

The original recommendation states:

'Sub. Lieut. Wiles was responsible for the four craft taking part in the operations & navigating them to the exact landing point with great skill although for the last 1/4 mile the craft were under small arms fire.

He remained on the beach for 35 minutes with his craft (LCA 1042) and with the help of a seaman (AB Armitage) assisted in evacuating seven casualties. After he had ascertained that there were no further casualties to be evacuated he left the beach which was still under sporadic fire. The craft was under fire until out of range but casualties were safely evacuated to Nijmegen.'

Richard Charles Wiles was born in Lambeth in April 1922 and was first commissioned in November 1942. He was posted to the 552nd LCA Flotilla and shared in the Commando actions of the Royal Scots Fusiliers some 4 miles upstream from Nijmegen. They landed on the north bank of the Waal at map reference 7765.

Latterly posted to Copra, the book From School to Landing Craft of his letters was published in 2011; sold together with copied research.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate

Starting price
£420