A retreat from Belgium June 1940 DCM group to Lieutenant A Calvert Coldstream Guards

G.VI.R Distinguished Conduct Medal, correctly impressed 2654108 W.O. Cl, III. A. Calvert. C. GDS

1939 to 45 Star

Defence Medal

War Medal

Swing mounted as worn

Condition GVF

Sold with a number of pieces of original ephemera, including Regular Army Certificate of Service, letters of recommendation, original newspaper clippings, officers service book, officers release book etc.

Arthur Calvert was born on the 1^st of February 1908 in Hull, Yorkshire. His father was sadly killed in Great war while serving in the Navy.

In civilian life Calvert was an Iron Duller, he attested for the Coldstream Guards on the 21^st of August 1929. He spent his first period of service at home and was discharged to the reserves in May 1936. Recalled to the colors on the 2^nd of September 1939.

Calvert was a member of the 2^nd Bn which was part of the BEF, he was serving as a Warrant Officer class III, which was a short lived rank in the British Army. On the day the remnants of the Bn evacuated at Dunkirk, Calvert earned the DCM in the following circumstances.  

‘On the 1st June on the YSER CANAL north of HONDSCHOOTE, P.S.M. CALVERT handled his platoon with sound common sense, thereby saving casualties to his own men and inflicting heavy loss on the enemy. After the officers of his company had been killed or wounded he was ordered to withdraw his platoon from the canal bank. He executed the withdrawal in face of the enemy without further loss. He showed a fine example of initiative. His calmness and courage under M.G. and shell fire were an example to all ranks.’

The DCM was announced in the London Gazette on the 27^th of August 1940.

Calvert also successfully evacuated from Dunkirk. He was commissioned into the Pioneer Corps on the 7^th of November 1942. He didn’t see service overseas again. He was released from service in 1946 with the honorary rank of Lieutenant