1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 1944-45 - Awards and Citations

WS/Lieutenant Reginald Neil FELLOWS (315209)

Rex Fellows as he liked to be known was recommended by Lieut.-Col. M. R. J. Hope-Thomson on the 19th April 1945 for an immediate Military Cross.

Military Cross (London Gazette 23rd August 1945)

Citation:

“On 18th April 1945, ‘B’ Company, 1 WORC R. was ordered to attack the School Area SOUTH of MORBEK. Lieut. FELLOWS was in command of the leading Platoon which when about 300 yards from the objective came under intense fire from 2 spandaus and about 20 enemy riflemen at a range of about 150 yards. The platoon took cover, but Lieut. FELLOWS immediately jumped out of the ditch in face of withering enemy fire and calling for his Platoon to follow dashed into the face of the enemy. This caused the enemy to become demoralized and they retreated in disorder through some woods on our right. The action taken by Lieut. FELLOWS, his dashing leadership and magnificent courage, ensured the success of the Company attack and saved the Company many casualties.”

 

Background:

Rex Fellows was born in Halesowen on the 24th June 1925, he was educated at Halesowen Grammar School. In April 1943 he enlisted, in Birmingham, into The Royal Engineers. From October 1943 to March 1944 he attended officer training at Barmouth OCTU.

He was commissioned in to the Worcestershire Regiment on the 22nd April 1944 and spent some time at Norton Barracks before joining the 8th Battalion as a Platoon Commander.

In June 1944, he spent some time at Battle School, Brocklesbury Hall before joining the 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment at La Cabosse, France on the 7th August 1944. He remained with the 1st Battalion until June 1945.

In July 1945, he became L.O. to 6th Air Landing Brigade in Bulford and Palestine. In March 1946 he attended Parachute School at Ringways in preparation for a posting to HQ 2nd Parachute Brigade but was demobbed in April 1946.

After the war, he spent three years as a Quantity Surveyor followed by thirty years as Director of all the Companies of Alfred Walker Group, Birmingham. He then became Chairman of a family-owned precision engineering company, South West Engineering in Paignton. Amongst his hobbies were Motor Sports and Classic Cars.

Lieutenant R. N. Fellows

Rex died in hospital at Torquay on the 15th June 2007, aged 81.

 

L to R – Lt. Rex Fellow, Lt. Dan Pullen, Lt. Les Crossingham, Lt. Gerry Millinson, Lt. Ken Hill
Front kneeling Major Bryan Elder

(Afferden, Holland - March 1945)

 

Jonathan and Chris Fellows (sons of Capt. Rex Fellows M.C.) discussing details of their fathers medals with Colonel John Lowles C.B.E. before presenting the medals to the Worcestershire Regiment Museum.
(at the Gainsborough House Hotel, Kidderminster on Saturday 16th May 2009)


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