Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Craftsman

Unit:

No. 1 Squadron, 4th Armoured Battalion Coldstream Guards, 6th Guards Tank Brigade, VIII Corps, British Army

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1945

Citation:
"On 16 November 1944, during the engagement for the crossings of the Molen Beek [in Holland] by 185 Infantry Brigade, supported by 4th Armoured Battalion, Coldstream Guards, but operating from the A.R.V. of another Squadron, showed himself conspicuous not only by his willingness to undertake any task throughout the day, but when under shell fire volunteered immediately to expose himself without regard to his personal safety in order that the work of recovery should continue unhindered. It was largely due to his energy and excellent work under fire that this recovery was completed so quickly.

As a result of the speedy and successful work of recovery the tanks were recovered from the open ground and the approaches to the bridge were cleared and further tanks were able to cross Molen Beek and assist in the consolidation of the bridgehead."

Dennis Desmond John Calver was subsequently wounded by a shell which killed an officer who was in close proximity to him, while attached to No. 2 Squadron at Bucholt on the Siegfried Line on 20 February 1945.