MC - recommendation

There is no recommendation for the MC. If it existed it should have been in WO 373/15 however it isn't there, and there are no other available citations in that time period.

:(

Archivist comes up trumps!

Haileybury archivist has been able to find not one but two photos of Metcalfe as well as the following information:

Nigel William Metcalfe was born in on 25 September 1909 the son of H. W. Metcalfe of Hardingham Grove, Nr. Attleborough. He was educated by H. F. H. Caldwell of Boxgrove School, Camberley, Guildford, Surrey, UK and Haileybury from the third term of 1923 to the third term of 1927.

Haileybury archivist was able to piece together the following on his school career:

Won a Form Prize 1924.2
Played in all of the Colt’s rugby matches, 1924.3
Played in house cricket team 1925.2
Played in house rugby team 1925.3
Played in house cricket team 1926.2 (awarded house tie)
XXX colours 1926.3 (he played in the first two XV matches)
Played in house rugby team 1926.3
House prefect from 14 March 1927
Played on Big Side for Hockey 1927.1
Lance Corporal in Haileybury O.T.C. 1927.1
Corporal in Haileybury O.T.C. 1927.2
Played in house cricket team 1927.2
Played in house rugby team (captain) 1927.3
XV colours, 1927.3
Sergeant in Haileybury O.T.C. 1927.3
Elected as a member of the Senior Literary and Debating Society in 1927.3
Died at Folkstone, 11 February 1974

I am really chuffed with this information, as you can imagine.

Metcalfe - Coronation medal confirmed

No sooner as I had published that last post when I was able to confirm the issue of the Coronation 1953 medal to him as "Lieut. Col. N. W. Metcalfe MC (44116) RA", so that was a bit of good news.

Also, I had an email exchange from the Archivist at Haileybury who tells me that he posted some research on Metcalfe's time in the school on Tuesday so it should be here any day now.

Metcalfe MC* (GVI)

Medal group: Military Cross (GVI) and second award bar, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal, General Service Medal (GVI) [Malaya] (Major N. W. Metcalfe R. A.), Coronation Medal 1953

I have owned the group to Lieutenant Colonel Nigel William Metcalfe Royal Artillery for several months.

Metcalfe was awarded the Military Cross (GVI) during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940. He was awarded a bar to his MC in September 1942 with the following citation:

“On 1st July 1942 the defended locality held by 218 Ind Inf Bde was heavily attacked by an enemy force of tanks and infantry. A certain number of tanks penetrated the minefield and some were approaching one of the Inf Bns B Ech areas where a 2 pdr gun on a portee was in position under a Sjt of 68 A.Tk Bty. Major Metcalfe M.C. Comd 68 A.Tk Bty, hearing of the presence of these tanks at once came forward with a 6 pdr and after a recce reported eight German tanks and ordered both the 2 pdr and 6 pdr into action. He fired the 2 pdr himself with an other rank to spot for him. After firing a few rounds the 2 pdr received a direct hit and burst into flames and Major Metcalfe was thrown off the portee by the explosion. The tanks had obviously spotted the guns and were firing at them very accurately. Though very badly burnt on both legs Major Metcalfe brought the 6 pdr gun back into the Bde HQ and after having his legs bandaged returned to the ridge above Bde HQ and continued to direct the fire of his Troop stationed there knocking out at least two tanks. His courage and devotion to duty were of a very high order and the manner in which he carried on though suffering intense pain from his burns was an inspiration to all. Throughout the day this officer was continually on the move under heavy shell fire encouraging and controlling the guns under his command.”

This date was the beginning of the German assault against the Allied positions at El Alamein.

Genesis

I thought that it would be interesting to have a blog to track and to share orders, decorations and medals in my collection. I collect ODMs to officers of the artillery (all branches all eras).