An outstanding Second War 'Relief of Tobruk' Immediate D.C.M. group of six awarded to...

An outstanding Second War ‘Relief of Tobruk’ Immediate D.C.M. group of six awarded to Company Sergeant-Major R. Oliver, 1st Battalion, Durham Light Infantry Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (4448623 Cpl. R. Oliver. Durh. L.I.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted for display, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine (6) £2,800-£3,400 --- D.C.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942. The recommendation for an Immediate D.C.M. states: ‘At Tobruk on the night 7/8th December, 1941 ‘C’ Coy carried out an attack on the left of the Battalion on Pt 157. Cpl Oliver became separated from the rest of the Coy in the dark. He collected seven men, carried out two assaults on enemy M.G. positions, captured two machine-guns and twenty prisoners and then organised a defensive position with enemy captured weapons on the flank of his Coy. He showed great courage during the operations and was an excellent example to his men.’ On the 3 December 1941 the 1st Durham Light Infantry received orders to support the Border regiment in an attack focused on an enemy held position known as Point 157. If successful the Durhams were then to move through and attack a second position known as Point 162, both positions being on the escarpment east of El Duda. The evening of the 3rd was spent in preparation as the men of 1st D.L.I. were lorried to positions occupied by the Essex Regiment near El Duda. On 7th December the go-ahead was finally received but with one small amendment; the 1st D.L.I. would lead the attack supported by the Border Regiment. At 17:00hrs the men, assisted by scouts of the Essex Regiment, set out for their start line which this was reached at 19:20hrs, zero hour being 20:30hrs. With “A” Company on the left and “C” Company on the right supported by “B” Company and elements of H.Q. Company with “D” Company also following up, the 1st Durhams set off at 20:30hrs precisely in perfect text book order. There was a three quarter moon illuminating the starry sky when suddenly the desert air was filled with tracer and machine gun bullets which all seemed to be heading in the direction of 1 D.L.I. “B” and H.Q. infantrymen found what cover they could in holes and disused sangers. “A” Company unfortunately were caught in the front line of the enemy fire while “C” Company unbeknown to Lieutenant-Colonel Arderne had reached the enemy and had began clearing them. 2/Lt. Bruce Ballantyne attempted to lead a platoon of “A” Company in a move up the enemies flank yet despite their efforts the move failed and 2/Lt. Ballantyne was himself killed. The overall picture however was not good to continue the advance as it was would result in a great number of casualties; with this in mind Captain Jim Gray, the Adjutant, was sent back through the Durham lines in an effort to bring up tanks to support the floundering infantry attack. A short time later through the pitch blackness the British armour was sighted, and promptly fell into the holes and sangers which “B” Company were sheltering in! They managed to haul themselves free and laid down very accurate fire on the enemy positions. Rallied by this, Colonel Arderne gave the order to “B” and “D” Companies to fix bayonets and charge. Following behind the tanks they advanced into the enemy positions only to find “C” Company already there! Led by Captain Adrian Keith, M.C., they had cleared out the enemy and were busily rounding up prisoners. It was at this point that Captain Keith was killed by an Italian who had surrendered but was still in possession of a hand grenade. Corporal Oliver’s impressive gallantry did not go unnoticed and “C” Company without doubt took the full honours for their action that night. When the Border Regiment duly arrived to take over they found that their work had already been taken care of by the Durhams, thus bringing about the relief of Tobruk. Ralph Oliver was the son of Wilfred and Flora E. Oliver (née Cherry) of 27 Gas Street, Hartlepool. Wilfred had himself served with 2 D.L.I. at the outbreak of W.W.1 and was an old contemptible. Ralph was the eldest of seven brothers, two of whom were killed during the war, and attended Brougham Street School. Enlisting into the Durham Light Infantry at the age of 17, he saw pre-war service in India, Sudan and China with both regular battalions (1st and 2nd D.L.I.). He earned the Distinguished Conduct Medal at Tobruk whilst with “C” Company 1st D.L.I. and finished the war having attained the rank of Company Sergeant-Major. In 1948 he attended Buckingham Palace where he was presented with his D.C.M. by the King.