Dorset Regiment hallmarked silver prize medal named to R. Mattock, H.Q. Coy. 1 Dorset, Malta 1941.
Dorset Regiment hallmarked silver prize medal, the obverse with embossed regimental insignia, the reverse engraved ‘R. Mattock, H.Q. Coy. 1 Dorset, Malta 1941’, the base impressed SILVER. 32mm x 36mm.
In 1939 The 1st Battalion of the Dorsets were sent to Malta to garrison the strategically important island in the middle of Rommel's Africa Corps supply route. Along with the 2nd Devons they endured the bombing by the Luftwaffe on the besiged island and shared the suffering of the Maltese people, until the Allies gained superiority in the Mediterranean in 1943.
When the Allies invaded Sicily in July 1943, The Dorsets alongside The Devon's took part in their first amphibious assault landing. A second landing followed this on the mainland of Italy at 'Porto Venere' on 8th September 1943. The stay in Italy was to be short lived, the two battalions were brought home, thier experience of assault landings was to spearhead the D-Day invasion of France as part of the 50th Division. Having landed slightly to the east of their objective at Le Hamel, on a beach that was still under enemy fire, they made thier way inland and by night fall were in and around the village of Ryes. The Dorsets then advanced towards Bayeux.
The 1st Dorsets also took part in the battles fought around Tilly, Hottot and the Falaise Pocket. The 43rd Wessex Division carried out an assault river crossing of the Seine and by quickly advanced across Northern Franch. The 1st Dorsets and 2nd Devons fought their last battle together at Aam, Holland.
