Wells Thomas Richard Sergeant 6016581
Personnel Entry
Name Wells Thomas Richard
Army number 6016581.
Rank Sergeant.
Decorations Awarded the Military Medal - gazetted 24/1/1946. For Citation see below.
Date of birth Born 13/12/1916 in Bethnal Green, London. Mother's maiden surname Phillips.
Age (At time of death) 78.
Unit Enlisted in the Essex Regiment. Underwent Basic Training. Transferred to the Royal Engineers. Posted to 294th Field Company, Royal Engineers. Served Normandy.
Company/Battery
Platoon or other sub-unit Possibly served in No. 2 Platoon.
Task or role Platoon Sergeant.
Joined Brigade Not yet known.
Promotions None known.
Wounded Not so far as is known.
Prisoner of War Not so far as is known.
Died/Killed in action Died 15/7/1995 aged 78 and Braintree, Essex. Probate granted at Leeds Office on 9/10/1995.
Home address 4, Rose Cottages, Sible Hedingham, Essex. Father - Thomas Wells, mother Elizabeth Wells. Married Gladys Edna Ambrose (1920 - 1982) in Braintree in September 1941.
Source table
The Citation for the award of Sgt Wells' Military Medal can be found in The National Archives, under File Reference WO 373/56/177 and reads as follows:-
This NCO has been a platoon sergeant in this company for a period of ten months. During the whole time he has proved a most inspiring leader of the troops under his command. He is outstanding in his ability to handle men, and to lead them under the most difficult conditions of enemy interference. Sergeant WELLS could always be relied upon to do his tasks in the best way, and to deal with any situation that arose. As a result the troops under his command were always confident of success, and certain that they would not be asked to perform tasks that would waste their effort. For example, on 30 Aug 1944, the operations for crossing the river VIRE had been held up by enemy fire. When it was possible to start bridging, speed in construction was of vital importance. Under Sgt WELLS' direction a bridge was completed under observed mortar fire in little over an hour, although it had been expected that it would take much longer.
The example of personal bravery set by Sgt WELLS as NCO i/c bridge, was such that building never stopped, in spite of the shellfire and difficult conditions, and work was completed in commendably short time.
In the company this NCO has shown outstanding ability, and given continuous unsparing serve during the whole campaign."
The recommendation was put forward by the Company Commander, Major Ross and was supported by the Commander Royal Engineers of the 49th Division, the Divisional Commander and by the Lieutenant General in command of 1st Corps District.
Some information on this Page has been extracted from the Commemorative Booklet, prepared by Major Langley, covering the period from D-Day to VE Day in addition to that extracted from the War Diaries. There are issues around the possible duplication of names which remain to be clarified.
