An Historically Important "Operation Anvil/Dragoon" (Landing Craft) DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star (France &Germany Clasp) Defence & War Medal.
To: P./JX. 264640. Leading Seaman JAMES STEWART GILBERT. R.N.
For Gallantry during the 1st Wave of Amphibious Invasion of Southern France. 15th August 1944
The amphibious invasion of Southern France took place just after D-Day and was one of the most politically divisive campaigns of World War Two. Winston Churchill was very much against the opening of a secondary front after what had been a hard won but successful invasion of Southern Italy. The Americans however were dead set on the invasion of Southern France and overcame Churchill's reservations and objections.
The retrospective view of the end game of WW2 confirmed that Churchill was right to be suspect as the lack of allied troops in Eastern Europe in the closing stages of the war allowed much westward expansion of Russian forces into eastern Germany.
RECOMMENDATION FOR DECORATION.18th October 1944. L.C.T. 594 (Specialised Tank Landing Craft)
" WHEN retracting from Green Beach of Camel Sector in Operation Anvil after landing five tanks in the first wave of the initial assault, a large stone became lodged between the ramp door hinges preventing the raising of the ramp door. This had to be removed before the craft could get under way and make room for the next wave.In spite of machine gun and rifle fire directed at the craft which sustained several hits, L/Seaman GILBERT showed initiative and disregard of personal safety by running into the exposed position and removing the stone which allowed the ramp door to be raised and the craft to get under way, and keep clear of the in-coming wave of craft.
LONDON GAZETTE 27th March 1945.Page 1506
FOR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AND GALLANTRY DURING THE INVASION OF THE SOUTH OF FRANCE.Leading Seaman JAMES STEWART GILBERT, P./JX. 264640. (Ayrshire).Includes the original Buckingham Palace notification of award and the original Admiralty award confirmation letter.
A SUPERB 'HANDS ON' GALLANTRY GROUP TO A VERY BRAVE SEAMAN WHO LITERALLY STOOD IN THE GAP AND PLACED HIS LIFE ON THE LINE UNDER HEAVY MACHINE GUN AND RIFLE FIRE. BY HIS BRAVERY HE ALMOST CERTAINLY SAVED THE ENTIRE SHIP AND CREW FROM DISASTER.
THE D.S.M. ITSELF IS OF 'PROOFLIKE' QUALITY and HAS ALMOST NEVER BEEN WORN ....& ALL OTHER MEDALS ARE MINT. Copies of original recommendation included £2250