A Two Clasp G.V Efficiency Medal, Possible WW2 Normandy Landings awarded to 3951444 Pte D.J.R. Bowen, 4th Battalion the Welsh Regiment.

Pte Bowen was awarded the Efficiency Medal, Territorial Bar, during 1934 (AO.39 / WO102_34) , whilst serving with the 4th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment. There is no way of confirming if Pte Bowen was serving with the 4th Battalion on the 6th of June, 1944, as the two additional clasps were awarded on the 31st of July, 1947 (A.O.85/47 WO102_37), whilst serving with the Welsh Regiment & the King’s Own Royal Regiment.

The 4th Battalion was in Northern Ireland in the Brigade attached Welsh. In June 1944 the battalion, under Lieutenant Colonel Charles Coleman, was, after many years of training, ordered to France to join the British Second Army in the Normandy Campaign. From the start of the campaign the 4th Battalion was involved in fierce fighting during the Battle for Caen, and around the Falaise Pocket, the battle of the Bulge and the the battle of teh Reichwald where it sustained very heavy casualties and involved some of the fiercest fighting in the Campaign forey were up against determined German paratroopers.

The medal is mounted on original ribbon and is as follows -

G.V. Efficiency Medal, two clasps, 3951444 PTE. D. J. R. BOWEN. 4 - WELCH R.

Condition, good very fine