THE REGIMENTALLY UNIQUE SECOND WORLD WAR FALL OF FRANCE 1940 AND LIBERATION OF EUROPE 1944-45 DOUBLE D.S.O. TO COLONEL T.C. WILLIAMSON, D.S.O., 5TH ROYAL INNISKILLING DRAGOON GUARDS, TRANS JORDAN FRONTIER FORCE, EAST RIDING YEOMANRY AND 16/5TH LANCERS, COLONEL WILLIAMSON BEING THE ONLY OFFICER FROM THE 5TH DRAGOON GUARDS TO BE AWARDED A DSO FOR THE RETREAT TO DUNKIRK AND A BAR TO HIS DSO FOR THE LIBERATION OF EUROPE. Six: Distinguished Service Order, George VI, reverse suspension bar officially dated 1940, with second award clasp on ribbon, 1939-45 Star, France and Germany Star, 1939-45 Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf on War Medal General Service Medal 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (officially named, impressed in plain block capitals: LT COL. T.C. WILLIAMSON. 16/5 L.).
Court mounted for display (top riband bar of DSO adapted for mounting), and with a few minor chips to green enamel on obverse, otherwise generally Extremely Fine.
With a matching set of miniature medals, mounted loose style for wearing.
Group accompanied by biographical details, copies of original recommendations for Williamson's DSO and the second award clasp to his DSO, along with copied extracts London Gazettes and Army Lists of the period.
Born 16/8/1906 in New Zealand, Thomas Cromwell Williamson was first commissioned 2nd Lieutenant, 5th Inniskilling Dragoon Guards (from the General List, Territorial Army) 16/8/1927, and promoted Lieutenant, 16/8/1930.
During the 1930s Williamson was employed with the Trans-Jordan Frontier Force, with the local rank of Captain, from 1/9/1933 to 27/8/1935.
Williamson was subsequently promoted Captain, 1/8/1938 (Acting Major 18/1/1940 to 20/2/1940 & 18/3/1940 to 14/5/1940, Temporary Major, 15/5/1940 to 18/5/1943, War Substantive Major, 9/5/1943) and Major, 16/8/1944 (Acting Lieutenant Colonel 9/2/1943 to 3/5/1943, Temporary Lieutenant Colonel 9/5/1943).
Williamson commanded the East Riding of Yorkshire Yeomanry from the initial landing in Normandy on "D" Day until the surrender of the German army in May 1945.
In the post-war years, Williamson was promoted Lieutenant-Colonel, 15/2/1948, commanding the 16th/5th Lancers, and retired from the 16/5th Lancers with the rank of Honorary Colonel on 29/9/1953. Colonel Williamson died on 3/5/1987 in San Pedro, Andalucia, Spain, at the age of 80.
General Sir Cecil Blacker's history of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards "Change and Challenge, 1928-1978" records Williamson as commanding "C" Squadron of the regiment during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940 and that his DSO was awarded for repelling an attempt by the advancing German forces to encircle 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards.
The recommendation for Williamson's DSO, which was officially announced in the London Gazette of 22/10/1940 "in recognition of gallant conduct in action with the enemy", is headed "HQ 2nd ARMD RECCE. Brigade - 5th R. Innis. D. Gds." and reads as follows:
"During the withdrawal to the Dendre on 17th May, 1940, Major Williamson, by his coolness and skillfull handling of his squadron, saved the regiment from disaster. Throughout the day the squadron was heavily attacked by armoured cars and infantry and the cavalry regiment on its left suffered very heavy casualties. Although hard pressed by superior numbers and on several occasions nearly surrounded, Major Williamson manoeuvred his squadron to such good effect that it suffered comparatively few casualties, and the regiment was able to withdraw in good order." Williamson was recommended for the DSO by his commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel J.H. Anstice.
The recommendation for the second award clasp to Williamson's DSO, which was officially announced in the London Gazette of 24/1/1946 "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe", is headed "33 ARMD. Brigade, 79 ARMD. Division - E.Riding Yeo", and reads as follows:
"Lieut-Col Williamson has commanded the East Riding Yeomanry from the initial landing in Normandy on D-Day until the surrender of the German army in May. Throughout this period this officer's leadership, initiative and disregard for his own safety had been outstanding and a fine example to his regiment. During the advance towards Lisieux the enemy's resistance was most determined. Owing to the very enclosed nature of the country to know what was happening meant to be in front of the battle to see for oneself. Lieut-Col Williamson was invariably there when the situation demanded. Prior to the crossing of the Rhine, the East Riding Yeomanry was converted to LVTs. They were responsible for carrying an assault brigade across the river and for the subsequent build-up. Lieut-Col Williamson's reconnaissance of the river bank prior to the operation and his command and organisation during the operation were of the highest order and were a major factor in the successful outcome of the operation."
The recommendation for the second award clasp to Williamson's DSO was made by Brigadier H.B. Scott, commanding officer of the 33rd Armoured Brigade, and counter-signed by Major-General Sir P.C.S. Hobart, KBE, CB, DSO, MC, commanding officer of the 79th Armoured Division.
Williamson was also mentioned in dispatches on two occasions during WW2: London Gazette 29/4/1941, page 2423 "For distinguished services in the field" and 8/11/1945, page 5434, "In recognition of gallant and distinguished service in North-West Europe".
