A SCARCE B.E.F. MAY 1940 ‘BATTLE OF ESCAUT’ M.M. GROUP AWARDED TO GUARDSMAN, 2ND COLDSTREAM GUARDS FOR HIS GALLANTRY SAVING WOUNDED DURING THE GERMANS ATTEMPTS TO CROSS THE RIVER AT PEQC ON 21/22 MAY 1940. THIS THE FIRST BATTLE IN WHICH THE 2ND COLDSTREAM’S TOOK PART DURING THE 2ND WAR, HIS AWARD BEING REPORTED IN NEWSPAPERS ON 19 JUNE 1940 AND WAS AMONG THE FIRST AWARDS ANNOUNCED TO THE B.E.F. AFTER THEIR EVACUATION FROM DUNKIRK AND 1 OF JUST 3 M.M.’s 2ND COLDSTREAM’S

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘2655363 GDSMN. R. ABSON, C. GDS.’; 1939-45 STAR; WAR MEDAL 1939-45.

M.M. London Gazette 22 October 1940. The original recommendation states:

‘During the period 21-22 May 1940, at Pecq on the Scheldt, Guardsman Abson was in charge of the Company’s stretcher-bearers. The posts were in a very exposed position. He repeatedly went across the open to attend the wounded under heavy rifle fire. He showed no regard for his personal safety and was a fine example to all ranks.’

The attack on the Guards positions at Pecq, part of the battle of Escaut was the first battle in which the 2nd Coldstream Guards took part in during the Second War. The battalion itself formed part of the 1st Guards Brigade, along with the 3rd Grenadier Guards and the 2nd Hampshire’s, itself part of the B.E.F. On news of the German attack on 10 May 1940, the 2nd Coldstream’s marched to Tournai and then on to Brussels. By 13 May they were at Lefdael and started to dig positions but with the German attacks on Dyle on 15 May, the battalion would be pushed back and for the next five days they would be constantly marching and digging in as they withdrew. On the evening of 20 May the battalion entered Peqc on the Escaut river (the French name for the Scheldt river), some of the companies being posted in the town itself, overlooking the river, others digging in positions on the riverbank itself; with a front extending 1,800 yards that they shared with the 1st Grenadiers who were to the right of the Coldstream’s …………………

Reginald Abson was recommended for his M.M. by Lieutenant-Colonel L. Bootle-Wilbraham, C.O. of the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards for his gallantry during the battle of 21/22 May, a submission approved by Brigadier Beckwith-Smith of the 1st Guards Brigade. His award was reported in newspapers on 18 and 19 June 1940 with several others to members of other units. This was among the first awards to be announced for action by the BEF in France and several months before it was actually Gazetted. The first announcement for awards appears in newspapers on 12 and 13 June, this consisting of 31 awards, including 8 M.M.’s, the second, on 15 June, consisting 3 RA M.M.’s and the third, including Abson’s on 18 and 19 June, which consisted of 16 awards, including 6 M.M.’s. Lieutenant-Colonel L. Bootle-Wilbraham award of the D.S.O. was announced in the latter, he and Abson being the only awards to Coldsteam’s. Two other M.M.’s were awarded to the 2nd Coldstream Guards for service with the B.E.F., both also for the attack at Pecq on 21 May, the others to a dispatch rider and a carrier driver.

Given the description of Abson’s recommendation, it is likely he was one of either 1 or 2 company as these companies were still defending positions on the river line on 22 May.

The 2nd Coldsteam’s formed part of the rearguard protecting the evacuation from Dunkirk, the main part of the battalion embarking on 2 June.

https://weaponsandwarfare.com/2020/06/01/coldstream-guards-1940/

Condition EF. Sold with copy MM recommendation and digital research including 2 Coldstream Guards histories; The Coldstream Guards 1920-46 and No Dishonourable Discharge. Ex DNW 2008.