THE SUPERB SECOND WAR ‘BATTLE OF BOULOGNE’ D.C.M. GROUP AWARDED TO A SERGEANT, 2ND BATTALION, WELSH GUARDS, FOR HIS REPEATED GALLANTRY DURING THE DEFENCE, 22 - 25 MAY 1940 AGAINST ELEMENTS OF THE 2ND PANZER DIVISION, INCLUDING THE HEROIC ‘FINAL STAND’ AT THE HARBOUR RAILWAY STATION, HIS COMPANY HAVING BEEN LEFT BEHIND WHEN THE REST OF THE BATTALION WAS EVACUATED FROM FRANCE THE PREVIOUS DAY. SUBSEQUENTLY TAKEN PRISONER HE ESCAPED ONCE BUT AFTER 3 DAYS ON THE RUN WAS RECAPTURED, REMAINING IN CAPTIVITY UNTIL LIBERATED IN MAY 1945

DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘2733460 SJT. D. J. JONES. W. GDS.’, 1939-45 STAR AND WAR MEDAL.

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senior Sergeants left behind in the closing stages of the battle of Boulogne in May 1940, after the main body had been withdrawn during the night of 23rd May.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 was born on 2 December 1912 and was a police constable before joining the Welsh Guards on 10 May 1932. Having reached the rank of Sergeant by the outbreak Second World War, he was serving with the 2nd Battalion at Camberley when with little notice, the 20th Guards Brigade was ordered to France to defend the French port of Boulogne. Arriving on the morning of 22 May, between then and early hours of 24 May, the Battalion fought heroically alongside the 2nd Battalion, Irish Guards, against elements of the 2nd Panzer Division……………

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The defence of Boulogne was credited with delaying German forces from reaching Dunkirk and therefore helping in the defence and evacuation of that port by the B.E.F. The Welsh and Irish Guards received the Battle Honour "Boulogne 1940".

Condition GVF, some minor contact wear. With copied research. A superb and rare award for the final stand at Boulogne.