Beschreibung:

An outstanding Second World War M.C. and Bar group of nine awarded to Lieutenant-Colonel N. J. Gell, Royal Engineers: originally decorated for his ‘magnificent example of coolness and courage’ in vital mine clearance work on the opening day of El Alamein, he added a Bar to his M.C. for ‘a most remarkable standard of personal bravery’ during “Operation Goodwood” and beyond, up until being severely wounded in a minefield in Holland in October 1944 - post-war he became a building conservationist and one of the founding fathers of the Bath Preservation Trust, ‘property sharks and others intent on ruining the city finding themselves up against a formidable opponent’ Military Cross, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar, the reverse of the Cross officially dated ‘1943’ and the reverse of the Bar ‘1946’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Burma Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (Maj. N. J. Gell, M.C., R.E.), generally extremely fine (9) £3000-3500 Footnote M.C. London Gazette 18 March 1943. The original recommendation states: ‘On 23 October 1942, near El Wiska, while Major Gell’s Field Company were clearing gaps in the enemy minefields to permit the advance of an armoured division, the Officer Commanding became a casualty. Major Gell at once took over. His unit was working three different routes and W./T. communications had failed. He constantly visited each section under shell and machine-gun fire showing complete disregard for his own safety, encouraging and leading his men on to their dangerous work. On one occasion, when a section had been forced to take cover owing to heavy fire, by his personal example he led them into the minebelt and successfully opened the gap. He displayed a magnificent example of coolness and courage during the minefield clearance operations.’ Bar to M.C. London Gazette 22 January 1946. The original recommendation states: ‘This officer has shown a most remarkable standard of personal bravery in leading his troops throughout the four months during which he commanded 246 Field Company, R.E. Amongst examples of courageous leadership his actions at Escoville, Sanneville, the Escaut crossing, Overloon and Verais are characteristic. At Escoville on 18 July 1944, the attack of the leading company of the Infantry and its supporting armour was held up by an anti-personnel minefield. Major Gell, who was close at hand, immediately went forward, carried out a personal examination of the field under shell and small arms fire, started a party of his men on clearing a lane and personally directed the flails upon their arrival to sweeping the lanes which allowed the attack to continue. Between 19-24 July, his company was engaged in shifts on opening heavily damaged routes in the Banneville-Sanneville area. Both of these places and the roads into them were under heavy shell and Nebelwerfer fire for a great part of the time. Major Gell was indefatigable in directing the work at which he was almost always present. It was a particularly unpleasant task and called for great leadership and determination. Prior to the crossing to the Escaut canal, Major Gell, whose company was allotted the tasks of handling the assault rafts and the Class 9 Bridge, carried out a daring reconnaissance of the canal in daylight and directed the operation from the towpath under small arms and shell fire. During the attack on Overloon on 14 October, the leading tanks were held up by extensive minefields 300 yards short and in full view of the village. Major Gell’s Recce. Officer was blown up on a mine and became a casualty. Under sniper and very heavy Nebelwerfer and shell fire, Major Gell personally set out the lane to be cleared and led the party. He organised the lane clearance and continued to direct mine clearance on the two axes for which his company was responsible until the operation was successfully completed, despite enemy defensi