Sgt Amwel Cole Evans, DCM.

Army no. 404474.
1st Royal Dragoons, Royal Armoured Corps
[Source] London Gazette 37004, page 1711.

Awarded the DCM after leaving the Commando. Published London Gazette 29 March 1945. The recommendation for DCM states:

'On 31 August 1944, the Troop of which Sergeant Evans was a member approached the Southern outskirts of Grusmenil during the advance to the Somme. The village was found to be strongly held by the enemy and the Troop came under heavy fire from machine-guns and mortars. Sergeant Evans left the leading car and advanced alone towards the village and was able to get valuable information about the enemy. While he was returning, still under heavy fire from machine-guns, he saw a wounded British soldier lying in the ditch. On further investigation he found an officer and three men, all seriously wounded who had been there for some considerable time. He applied first aid to all the wounded and then went back for a stretcher party which he guided back.

During the whole time Sergeant Evans showed complete disregard for his own safety, though under constant and accurate fire. He undoubtedly saved the lives of the wounded men. During the whole time the Regiment has been operating, Sergeant Evans has shown exemplary courage and energy on operations. On several occasions he has lifted mines and dealt with booby traps under fire, which had been holding up the advance of our infantry. On 1 September he led his Section on foot into Picquigny where there were still a large number of German infantry. Though greatly outnumbered, he fought his way to the bridge over the Somme in an attempt to prevent it being blown. He was badly wounded in the leg but continued to direct his section for some time and was responsible for killing about 30 of the enemy and causing many more to surrender in the village.’