The Royal Corps of Signals

Corporal, PA Sergeant Gordon Albert Acott BEM, 9th Armoured Brigade Signal Sqn, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded Periodical BEM.

Sjt. G A Acott has been with this Squadron since Aug 1942. Throughout his service with this Squadron he has carried out his duties, which have been many and varied, with the utmost energy and efficiency. During the period 18 Apr 45 to 28 Apr 45 he was Tp Sjt of the Wireless Tp of this Sqn which is over 70 strong. This Tp provided wireless communications for three HQ's, a complete service network, manned two Signal Offices and fulfilled many other commitments foreign to the men of his Tp. In order to establish and maintain his layout, Sjt G A Acott had to constantly re-organise his Tp. He was never given much warning and orders were constantly changing. Despite this he never failed to be cheerful and willing, nothing seemed impossible to his Tp. His co-operation, efficiency and calmness was largely responsible for the success of the communications in the amphibious operations of 9 Armd Bde.


LG 13.12.45.

 

Escapes from Camp 78 (Sulmona), Italy.

Recommendations for awards




1) The entire camp was organised for escape for great thorougherness by the Senior British Officer, Major Cochran. The alarm system etc., worked perfectly and P/W were marched out in an orderly manner into the nearby hills as soon as news of German approach was received.

The Germans succeeded in rounding up a number of escapers in the hills, but the majority got away, together with a number of those who were recaptured but subsequently escaped again.

2) I recommend the following other ranks for the awards shown, brief particulars being given in the enclosures stated opposite there names:

Recommended for MM:

2584681 Cpl JD Duncan, Royal Signals

2591525 Dvr J Morris, Royal Signals


Driver John Morris MM, Middlesex Yeomanry, 2nd Armoured Division, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded MM.
Morris was captured at El Mechili on 8 Apr 41 and was imprisoned at Capua amd Sulmona (Camp 78).

After the evacuation of Camp 78, Morris was amongst those recaptured by the Germans, but the same day he escaped again. Following 12 days spent in the hills, he moved to Pacentro with three other escapers. About three weeks later he travelled south with different companions, but all were recaptured on 20 Oct when they asked for food at a German-occupied house near Castrel Di Sangro. On 7 Nov 43, when being transferred by train from Sulmona, he and another P/W forced open a ventilator and jumped out near Greccio. Walking to Capistrello, they remained there until 21 Apr 44. Morris then travelled south with a S. African Sgt and British troops were met at Castel Di Sangro on 29 Apr 44.

No LG Date.

 

Signalman W. Bailey, Mentioned in Despatches, attd. HQ 1st AA Brigade, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Signalman Bailey was attached Bde. HQ. Acted as Bde. DR and was aslo outstanding in the ability and resourcefulness with which he performed his work.

20.12.40

 

Lieutenant Herbert Frank Tillyard MC, 8 Corps Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded Military Cross.

During 25th Jul Lt. Tillyard was in Comd of the Line Sec laying the Corps Main Artery from Mesnil Patry to Cheux, in anticipation of the move of HQ 11 Armd Div to that area.

The line was completed under periods of intense enemy shelling and mortar fire.

On the night 25/26 Jun (Typo?) the lines were twice blown down on both sides of a Test Point, whcih was subjected to severe enemy mortar fire. On each occasion Lt. Tillyard personally conducted maintenance parties and re-established communications at a critical stage of the Op.

Throughout the day and night, the courage, determination and devotion to duty shown by this Officer was an inspiration and example to the men under his command.


LG 19.10.44

 

Signalman George Stanley Michael Bicker MM, Signal Section, 16th Infantry Brigade, 4th Indian Division, The Royal Corps of Signals.

During the operations on 10th December, 1940, South of Sidi Barrani Signalman Bicker was acting as operator in the wireless pick up on which R/T communications with Bn HQ were dependent.

During the advance very heavy artillery and machine gun fire was encountered and the pick up was hit several times by shell splinters and bullets.

In spite of the heavy fire which was continuous for about two hours and the lack of cover and protection in a pick up Signalman Bicker continued to carry out his duty and to work his wireless set in the calmest and most efficient manner.

It was largely due to this Signalman's personal courage and confidence that communications were maintained with Battalion Headquarters of two battalions, the third battalion set having been put out of action by enemy fire.

 

Signalman E. J. Baines, Mention in Despatches, 2nd Divisional Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Recommended for Military Medal Lt. Col. Nicholls, Cmdg. 2 Div Sigs.

Changed to MiD by Maj. Gen. N. M. S. Irwin, Commander 2nd Division.

23 May 40 at Templeuve. When lines were being continualy cut by enemy fire and no cable detachments were available, he went out single handed and remained out, thereby succeeding in keeping his lines through. On 25 May at St. Venant he was in charge of the cable layer and stayed out throughout the day to try and maintain line communications which were continualy being cut by fifth column activity and by enemy fire.

20.12.40

 

Sergeant John Edward Beautyman MM, I Demolition Squadron, PPA, The Royal Corps of Signals.

On 21 Jun. 44 near Tolentino, Italy, at night, behind the enemy lines, the patrol in which he was travelling in the second vehicle fell into an ambush and came under MG fire at very close range. With the utmost coolness he returned the enemy fire and covered the party recovering the leading vehicle which had left the road. Though his vehicle was hit several times he kept up his fire for more than 15 minutes until th epatrol proceeded on its way. Owing to his steadiness and to his disregard of danger only one casualty was suffered by the patrol in this encounter.


LG 8.2.45

 

Lieutenant James Yuill Ferguson MC, 5th Indian Divisional Signals, attch. 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Lieutenant Ferguson was a prisoner in a camp at Bologna at the time of the Italian Armistice, and, having made one unsuccessful attempt to escape when the Germans surrounded the camp on 9th September, 1943, he and several other officers hid on the roof of the barracks until 13th September when the camp had been cleared of all British Prisoners and only a few German guards remianed.

At 0400 hours on the 13th September, Lieut. Ferguson with two other officers , slid down a sheet rope, removed the camp lights on the wall which was unguarded, and climbed over.

During their journey south by train, and on foot, one of the officers left the party by Lieut. Ferguson and the other officer continued together.

One day they came across a German half-track truck, guarded by one German sentry. They knocked out the sentry, set fire to the truck and continued on their way.

Helped and advised by the local priests and farmers they made their way to a monastery at Fonte Avellana where they heard that a party of British General Officers were hiding in the neighbourhood.

On 10th October, Lieut. Ferguson and his companion, Captain Spooner, were moved to Pesaro by an Italian helper, and stayed there until 16th October when Lieut. Ferguson was taken to Cattolica and he and his helper boarded a boat which took them to Vieste.

On his arrival in Allied hands, a month after leaving the Prisoner of War camp, Lieut. Ferguson at once asked to be allowed to go behind enemy lines again to contact and rescue the party of General officers and others including Captain Spooner at the monastary.

Under a plan formulated by 'A' Force, Lieutenant Ferguson and the Italian were landed by boat at Cattalica on th enight of 23rd October, 1943.

From that date until the 20th December, when he returned to the Allied lines with a party of eleven, Lieutenant Ferguson although encountering many setbacks and disappointments, was zealous in his efforts to rescue the escapers he had contacted.

While making plans for their rescue, he contacted many other escapers, issuing to them maps, compasses, clothing and food and instructions for reaching the Allied lines encouraging them by his fine example to continue their journey to safety.

Having made his escape once after 15 months' captivity, Lieut. Ferguson voluntarily returned behind the lines and spent eight weeks helping others less fortunate than himself and, by his courage and determination was largely responsible for the rescue of five British escapers, including Lieut. General Neame, Lieut. General O'Connor and Air Marshall Boyd and Captain Spooner, with their Italian helpers, as well as assisting and encouraging many others to reach safety.

I strongly recommend him for the award of the Military Cross.




LG 24.8.44

 

In December 1941 Cross with two other signalmen, Wagstaff and Mortimer volunteered, with full knowledge of the dangers involved, to accompany a Major Cauvin into the Malayan jungle on a three months trip to act as a left-behind radio/intelligence party. It was actually three and half years before they returned.

Trained in their new duties, with two months European rations, full radio equipment, and signal plan agreed by Kranji radio station, they entered the jungle on 29th January 1942, accompanied by 25 armed Chinese guerillas. The party commenced listening immediately and calling their stations in accordance with the signal plan, but got no replies. In view of the bad news of Java and Rangoon, the expiry of the three months allowed for, and the lack of petrol for charging batteries, they reduced their daily radio watches.

For the great majority of their time, the batteries were charged by improvised water wheels involving a great deal of maintenace and poor yield. Failing to hear from, or contact their stations, they decided to listen in to all broadcasts, and with the help of an English speaking Chinese began to print by duplicating machine an English edition of the 'Emancipation News' in May 1943, with all editorial matter under Chinese control.

While listening to these broadcasts they received an indication that the officer with whom they had made their signal plan had fallen into the hands of the Japanese in Java. They also picked up hundreds of broadcast messages for Europeans and tried to get these into prison camps by Chinese agents of the Malay Communist Party.

Major Cauvin's health began to deteriorate seriously in August 1943, and on the 17th April 1944, he decided to leave the party and to try and contact the Tonku Makhota of Johore, or make for the Allied lines in Burma. On 17th July, they heard that Major Cauvin had commtted suicide.

In the face of every difficulty and danger the party continued its work, and early in September 1944, decided that the English edition of their news sheet should be replaced by a non-polictical anti-Japanese newspaper which they called 'The Victory Herald'. They specialised on items of international news.

During their three and half years in the jungle, under the most trying conditions, the party managed , by their high courage and general behaviour, to earn the respect, loyalty and protection of the Chinese guerillas. Had it not been for this, they would never have survived, nor would they have been able to carry out their anti-Japanese propaganda as well as explaining our view-point of the international situation to a very great number of Chinese and to the Malayan Communist Party in particular.

They suffered constantly from a lack of any sort of European food with the consequent deterioration of their health and were in continual danger of attack from the Japanese who were very active against the underground element in the district and they were obliged to move camp on more than thirty different occasions until on April 17th 1945 they joined force with Allied troops and were evacuated by them.

The party brought out valuable intelligence and a very complete knowledge of the guerilla political feelings. Cross's qualities of leadership, particularly after Major Cauvin's departure left him in sole charge of the party, were of the highest order, and it is thanks to him in no small measure that the party was eventually found alive and in a condition to pass on the important information gathered over the past three years.

It is recommended that Signalman Cross be awarded the DCM and that Signalman Wagstaff and Morter should each receive a Military Medal.


Gazetted 25.9.47

 

Royal Signals despatch riders wash and shave in slit trenches at 69th Brigade HQ, 50th Division, 13 June 1944.

 

Corporal Thomas Frederick Dennis Peaceful Dover Wilson MM, attach. HQ 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, Army Air Corps, The Royal Corps of Signals.

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in Sicily between 13 July, 1943 and 5 Aug, 1943.

This NCO took part in a parachute operation in Sicily with the Brigade Signal Detachment attached to 2 Para, Bn. He was dropped 25 miles behind the enemy lines on the lava slopes of Mt. Etna. Though badly shaken, he accompanied Capt. Dover, Adjutant of the Bn, and, for 23 days, those two exsisted with little food in the midst of of German positions until relieved by our forces.

By night they harrassed the enemy communications and Corporal Wilson applied his technical knowledge in distorting rather than cutting the telephone wires, so that the faults were more difficult to find. They also attacked enemy transport and dispatch riders on the main artery serving Catania. Corporal Wilson, a technical signaller, absorbed and perfected the infantryman's technique during this time. THroughout he displayed an offensive and resourceful spirit and great devotion to duty.


LG 23.12.43

 

Lieutenant Donald Swanson White MC, 153rd Brigade, 51st Division, 30 Corps, The Royal Corps of Signals.

Awarded a Military Cross

 

Signalman William Charles Arthur Geeves MM, K Sec Signals, att. 168 London Infantry Brigade, The Royal Corps of Signals.

 

Sergeant William Dearlove DCM, 44 Divisional Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals.

At both Kruisweg and Ecole D'Esteentje, this NCO displayed untiring efforts in line laying and maintenance on the Divisonal lines, frequently in the face of shell fire. During the move of the Advance Signals Group from Esteenje to Godevaersvelde the group was attacked by tanks near the latter place. Sergeant Dearlove had just perviously gone forward to Mont de Cats to get instructions as to the final location for the group. Hearing of the attack he returned to the area in which he had left the group in an edeavour to locate men and vehicles of the GP and bring them in to the Mont de Cats. At considerable personal risk he toured the ........ (Continuation Missing)

Gazetted 11.7.40

 

Lieutenant Thomas Cromwell Brian Henderson MC, 8 Indian Divisional Signals, The Royal Corps of Signals

Awarded Military Cross

 

Escapes from Camp 78 (Sulmona), Italy.

Recommendations for awards


1) The entire camp was organised for escape for great thorougherness by the Senior British Officer, Major Cochran. The alarm system etc., worked perfectly and P/W were marched out in an orderly manner into the nearby hills as soon as news of German approach was received.

The Germans succeeded in rounding up a number of escapers in the hills, but the majority got away, together with a number of those who were recaptured but subsequently escaped again.

2) I recommend the following other ranks for the awards shown, brief particulars being given in the enclosures stated opposite there names:

Recommended for MM:

2584681 Cpl JD Duncan, Royal Signals

2591525 Dvr J Morris, Royal Signals


Corporal J D Duncan MM, The Royal Corps of Signals

Awarded MM.

Captured at Fort Mexhili on 8 Apr 41, Duncan was sent via Derna, Benghazi, Tripoli, Naples and Capua to Camp 78 (Sulmona). P/W in this camp were liberated after the armistice, and on 13 Sept 43 Duncan made for the hills in a party of six. The party was joined by other escapers who had been taken to Sulmona from Chieti by the Germans and Lieut. Richardson took over the leadership of the combined party from Duncan. Being the only one who was in civilian clothes, and knowing a little Italian, Duncan acted as contact with the Italian villagers. During the journey south the party encountered many hardships and Lieut. Richardson reports that Duncan was of the greatest assistance in keeping up the morale of the party and carrying on when they were shelled by their own guns in the Sangro area. Duncan although a weak swimmer, rescued a man who was in difficulties crossing the Sangro River, and would have gone to the aid of another had he not been ordered out by Lieut. Richardson. The party finally reached the Allied lines on 26 Nov. 43.


No LG Date.

 

Acting Sergeant Henry Donald Laybourne DCM, Royal Signals attached No.1 Special Force, HQ, SO(M), CMF.

Sergeant Laybourne was parachuted into North East Italy in September 1944, as a wireless operator to his mission. After crossing to the West of the Tagliamento River the mission and the partisan forces in that area were subjected to constant harrassing by the enemy and finally to a large scale offensive which resulted in the dispersal of the partisan forces.

Throughout these operations , always on the move and constantly under fire, Sergeant Laybourne by his coolness and courage was able to maintain constant contact with base and to pass much valuable intelligence to the allied armies. On many occasions when forced to disperse suddenly by enemy attacks, Sergeant Laybourne remained behind until the last to ensure that all his equipment was safe and that his link to base was not interrupted.

When the enemy attacks became so great that the partisan forces were compelled to disperse he accompanied his mission leader up the 6,500 foot high Monte Raut where in the middle of winter, suffering from frostbite, hunger and privation, he continued to maintain constant contact with his base. When his mission leader, in order to re-organise the partisan forces, decided to proceed to the plains in civilian clothes, Sergeant Laybourne volunteered to accompany him although unable to speak the language and fully realising that his capture in civilian clothes would mean his instant death.

Despite the almost constant efforts of the enemy to locate his set and the necessity for his having to be constantly on the move to avoid detection, he maintained constant contact with base as a result of which the most valuable information and intelligence was made available to the Allied Forces.

On 23rd February 1945 after almost six months continuous service in enemy occupied territory under the most rigourous conditions, he was offered the opportunity of returning to Allied Lines when his mission leader was ordered to return to base. Sergeant Laybourne, realising that his withdrawal without a replacement would result in a break in the passing of intelligence from this part of the field., voluntarily elected to remain with the partisan forces until a replacement could be found.

Throughout, this NCO displayed exceptional courage, coolness and devotion to duty in the face of constant danger.

Gazetted 2.8.45

 

Troops release a carrier pigeon in the field, 15 August 1940.