Baldwin & Sons
Auction 106 15 Sep 2022
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An Unusual South African Engineering Corps Italy Campaign Immediate Military Medal awarded to Lance Corporal Gerhardus Jacobus Swart 25 Road Construction Company South African Engineer Corps comprising Military Medal, GVIR, (172437V L/Cpl. G.J. Swart. S.A.E.C), 1939‑45 Star, Africa Star, 8th Army clasp, Italy Star, 1939‑45 War Medal with MiD emblem, Africa Service Medal 1939‑45, all officially named (172437 G.J. Swart), contemporarily mounted for wear, very fine (6).
Military Medal U.O. 33/45/342ME.
Lance Corporal Gerhardus Jacobus Swart, 25 Road Construction Company SEAC.
On the night of the 16‑17th Dec. 1944, L/Cpl Swart was the operator of an unarmoured bulldozer preparing the approach to Lamone North Bridge at Faenza. Throughout the period of his work the are was subject to frequent enemy shell and mortar fire and sporadic machine gun fire from an enemy post approximately 600 yards away; this was drawn by the noise of the bulldozers. With great coolness and courage L/Cpl Swart continued with his work until ordered to withdraw on account of the increasing accuracy of the enemy fire. After a short break, realising the urgency of the work, he volunteered to continue with the job and carried on working under these conditions until relived. As a result of his action his devotion to duty in carrying on this work under fire for over five hours, the initial stages of the work could be brough to a successful conclusion.
Mentioned in Despatches The London Gazette the 24th of June 1943.
Sold with copy Service papers confirming all medals and MiD. Copy MM Citation and a photocopy of
the book "Salute The Sappers" in which L/Cpl Swart is mentioned for his MM action ‑ page 233.
Military Medal U.O. 33/45/342ME.
Lance Corporal Gerhardus Jacobus Swart, 25 Road Construction Company SEAC.
On the night of the 16‑17th Dec. 1944, L/Cpl Swart was the operator of an unarmoured bulldozer preparing the approach to Lamone North Bridge at Faenza. Throughout the period of his work the are was subject to frequent enemy shell and mortar fire and sporadic machine gun fire from an enemy post approximately 600 yards away; this was drawn by the noise of the bulldozers. With great coolness and courage L/Cpl Swart continued with his work until ordered to withdraw on account of the increasing accuracy of the enemy fire. After a short break, realising the urgency of the work, he volunteered to continue with the job and carried on working under these conditions until relived. As a result of his action his devotion to duty in carrying on this work under fire for over five hours, the initial stages of the work could be brough to a successful conclusion.
Mentioned in Despatches The London Gazette the 24th of June 1943.
Sold with copy Service papers confirming all medals and MiD. Copy MM Citation and a photocopy of
the book "Salute The Sappers" in which L/Cpl Swart is mentioned for his MM action ‑ page 233.