2623583 Charles Alfred WELLINGS, MM, 5 Grenadier Guards

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Wellings, Charles Alfred
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2623583
Regiment: 5 Battalion Grenadier Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 07 December 1944
Date 1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/8

24th Guards Brigade, 6th S.A. Armoured Division, 13 Corps
2623583 Guardsman Charles Alfred WELLINGS, 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

This Guardsman is a Signaller attached to a Rifle Company.

Between 24th and 27th June this Guardsman's Company was occupying some high ground 3 miles North of the village of SARTEANO. They were in close contact with the enemy who shelled and mortared the Company positions steadily throughout those three days.

The area in which really heavy shelling took place continuously, was a field immediately behind this Company across which line communication had to be maintained.

On not less than 10 occasions this Guardsman volunteered to mend broken lines in this shell plastered area in full view of an enemy Observation Post and each time, he worked for periods of up to half an hour in the very centre of heavy shell and mortar fire with absolutely no protection and with complete disregard for his personal safety.

On the third occasion his Company Commander assumed that owing to the weight of shells into which he saw this Guardsman walk, he must have become a casualty and reported to Battalion H.Q. that it was impossible to keep the line in repair. No sooner had he done so than Guardsman WELLINGS re-appeared cheerful and unconcerned having mended the line.

For three days and three nights this Guardsman continued to carry out his normal duties at Company H.Q. as well as his constant work on the line.

Throughout the last 10 weeks fighting, this Guardsman's courage, cheerfulness and devotion to duty in all circumstances have been quite exceptional and deserving of the highest commendation.

Signed G.C. GORDON-LENNOX, D.S.O., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

Granted an Immediate M.M.