174363 Richard WAKEFORD, VC, 2/4 HAMPS: Original Recommendation

Discussion in 'Italy' started by Paul Reed, Jul 2, 2008.

  1. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Found this in the National Archives yesterday. It is the original recommendation for Captain Richard Wakeford, 2/4 Hamps, Victoria Cross.

    [​IMG]
     
  2. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

  3. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

  4. Very nice Paul ... so much more than this !

    LIEUTENANT (TEMPORARY CAPTAIN)RICHARD WAKEFORD The Hampshire Regiment

    extract from the London Gazette 13 July 1944 ..... On 13 May 1944 near Cassino Italy Captain Wakeford accompanied only by his orderly and armed with a revolver went forward and killed several of the enemy and took 20 prisoners. When attacking a hill feature the following day his company came under heavy fire but although wounded in the face and both arms Captain Wakeford pressed home the attack. He was wounded again but reached the objective and consolidated the position

    Annie
     
  5. AndyBaldEagle

    AndyBaldEagle Very Senior Member

    Not often you see them, I have a copy of the original citation for Paddy Mayne's VC which is crossed out and DSO written in, his fourth!

    Still trying to find a few where they were not rewarded with either 1) anything at all! or 2) an MID, because they were killed during the action for which recommended!

    Any ideas as to where to look? as I have done I think all the ones at PRO (sorry TNA!)

    Regards

    Andy
     
  6. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Paul, sorry to hijack this,

    I am also wondering why I can't find MIDs on docsonline for my IGs. Are they not filed on that system, or are they lost?

    dbf
     
  7. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    I don't think they have survived as well as other awards. This document was in a War Diary, not in the downloadable recommendations, by the way.
     
  8. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Paul are you able to locate those map refernces?
    857165
    858171
    Pt 73-8417
    It would be good to try and find this action on the ground itself oneday.

    EDIT.
    I've located Massa Vertechi (Point 73) on those maps you gave us on our tour.
    x marks the spot.
    Monte Cassino & Route 6 top of map.

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Extract from the Regimental History when he meets the King.
    Note Jefferson VC of the LF is also on that Parade, he won his VC just to the north-west of Wakeford.
    Wakeford had already been presented with his VC Ribbon on July 14th by Lt-Gen Kirkman , commanding XIII Corps.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  10. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    More on the 2/4th Bn at Cassino from Daniell's History.

    [​IMG]

    Photobucket is annoying me at the moment, will repost other extracts later.
     
  11. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

  12. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    On 6th November, up near Cesena, the 2/4th Bn suffered a serious tragedy among its Officers.

    Colonel Mitchell , with his Second-in-Command and Company Commanders, was looking over the battlefield from a vantage point, and one of the party stepped on an 'S' mine.
    Major G.E. Morgan was killed, Major Bichard was mortally wounded and Major Deedes, the Second-in-Command, and Major Wakeford VC were wounded.
     
  13. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    That's a hell of a piece of paper to stumble across.
    Word must have spread like wildfire at the time when one of those reached someone's desk. Quite electrifying news I imagine.
     
  14. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Capt Wakeford's Batman JC Baxter was awarded the MM at the same time.
    Here's his entry on TNA site.
    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

    Might be worth a look .

    Description
    Name Baxter, John Cockburn
    Rank: Private
    Service No: 14203904
    Regiment: 2/4 Hampshire Regiment
    Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
    Award: Military Medal
    Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 February 1945
    Date1944-1945
    Catalogue referenceWO 373/9[​IMG]

    BAXTER, MM, HAMPS.png
    BAXTER, MM, 2:4HAMPS.png
     
    dbf likes this.
  15. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Paul sent me the War Diary for the 2/4th .
    Here is the page when the news of Wakeford's VC breaks.

    [​IMG]
     
  16. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    These pages describe the Kings visit to present the Victoria Cross to Capt. Wakeford and Fus. Jefferson.
    Notice the date is wrong, where it says "June contd"
    I see they moved any dodgey Italians out of harms way.
    Thanks again to Paul for sending me this.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  17. von Poop

    von Poop Adaministrator Admin

    I think I'll pin this thread.
    Very readable.
     
  18. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Having another look at the War Diary .

    [​IMG]
     
  19. soren1941

    soren1941 Living in Ypres

    He looks really different from the chap in the photo with the King
     
  20. Paul Reed

    Paul Reed Ubique

    Well done Owen for sorting that stuff out - I just haven't had the time to do it myself yet!
     

Share This Page