Captain Patrick Mordaunt, M.C., 5 Battalion The Hampshire Regiment

Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Patrick Michael Mordaunt, Infantry, was awarded the Military Cross.
On the night of October 14th-15th, 1943, Captain Mordaunt’s company was ordered to carry out an attack on a position some 800 yards north of the Volturno. This attack was unopposed, and he was therefore ordered to advance to a line of the canal three miles farther on. His company carried out this advance and took a position the other side of the canal. At dawn they were heavily shelled and counter-attacked by infantry and a tank at very close quarters.

A company was then sent up to support them and was so heavily mortared that it had to withdraw. A further company was unable to get within two miles of Captain Mordaunt’s position, so that he was left in complete isolation and in grave danger of envelopment by the enemy.

In spite of this Captain Mordaunt held on to his position until the C.O. of his battalion was able to re-group at nightfall. During the night Captain Mordaunt’s company was again heavily counter-attacked, but he did not withdraw his company behind the canal until his position had become quite untenable and his Commanding Officer was satisfied that the remainder of the battalion positions were secure. When he did eventually withdraw across the canal in the face of heavy enemy opposition, Captain Mordaunt personally supervised the withdrawal, which was carried out in excellent manner.

Throughout this action Captain Mordaunt’s courage and complete disregard for his own safety were a stirring example to his men.

Captain Mordaunt was born in Kildare, and his home is in Dublin.


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7644742&queryType=1&resultcount=3
Name Mordaunt, Patrick Michael
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 164690
Regiment: 5 Battalion The Hampshire Regiment
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 24 February 1944
Date 1943-1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/4


London Gazette:
10 January 1941
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35040/supplements/253

20 May 1947
http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37962/supplements/2301
R. Sussex R.
Short Service Commns.
Lt. (War Subs. Capt.) Patrick Michael MORDAUNT, M.C. (164690), Emerg. Commn., to be Capt., 1st Oct. 1946, with seniority 5th Feb. 1946.

See this thread for ref:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852