Hi Tony it was the incident reported on the third sheet of the September war diaries, unfortunately the war diary only names the Lt in command of the patrol. The Military Medal citation recorded more details of the incident than the war diary. regards Andy
The award recommendation for my grandfather’s M.M. Awarded for his action as part of the 5 man foot patrol on 24th September 1944
Andy welcome to the forum. below are copies of your Grandfathers citation which are a bit easier to read.
Here are the 2 men killed by SP shell Trooper RONALD GEORGE BRIERWOOD 14553050 Who died age 20 on 23 September 1944 Son of Charles Henry and Maud Brierwood, of Handsworth, Birmingham. RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY Joint grave V. A. 7. Corporal FREDERICK GEORGE WILLIAMS MM 6346406– Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regt Who died age 23 on 23 September 1944 Son of William John and Edith Alice Williams; husband of Margaret Williams. RAVENNA WAR CEMETERY Joint grave V. A. 7.
Only just noticed this. Rich should have got his grandfather’s service back by now, it’s nearly ten years ago. He would now know which units he served in. In September 1945, when the disbandment of 3 Recce Regt was imminent, those men who were not due to be demobbed were transferred to 15th/19th King's Royal Hussars (15/19 H) who were taking on the role of 3rd Infantry Division’s reconnaissance regiment, a task they had performed until 1940 when they transferred to an armoured brigade. 3 Recce Regt’s Nominal Roll of Personnel Proceeding to 15/19 Hussars, Tuesday 25 September 1945 includes, 6847835 W/Cpl Scace, DGA, (age & service group) 28C 3 Div, including 15/19 H, moved to the Middle East in November 1945, serving in Palestine and Egypt. It looks as if Rich was right, his grandfather was in 3 Recce Regt and later served in North Africa (Egypt) although with 15/19H.
Yes - Decorations and Awards to Members of the Reconnaissance Corps Original - Recommendation for Award for Williams, Frederick George Rank: Corporal ... | The National Archives
Many thanks Mitch. A very brave man who didn’t live long enough to even know he’d been awarded his medal .
What does W/Corporal stand for? I see Fredrick Williams held the rank at the time of his aMM citation and my grandfather was one it one point. Cheers Andy
So when my grandfather A/sgt (w/cpl) come the end of the war, he could revert back to a lance corporal!
A wonderful letter to my grandfather from his Troop Commander Lt E R Morrison, congratulating him on the award of his MM. I feel the letter is a valuable piece of social history, highlighting the close bond between officers and other ranks who had been in action together. Lt Morrison led the five men foot patrol where the MM was won and two troop members lost their lives. Lt E.R. Morrison 11 Con. Depot C.M.F 21/11/44 Dear Sgt. Brough, Please accept my heartiest congratulations on being awarded the MM. If it is for the action I think it’s for then it’s well deserved. I must say I feel rather proud of having two in the Troop. Though it’s difficult to look at the war from the big picture point of view when in the line, there’s no doubt at all that the war is nearing it’s end & that early spring will see it folding up. The thing to aim at is to continue carrying out orders but taking care to go cautious. I do hope that everyone in b Tp. is. canny & lucky. I know that you’ll be giving Sgt. Ferguson all the help you can in running the troop. I hope to be back in just over a fortnight to do my share. I’m frightened of being a stranger to the Troop. I’ve been away for so long now. Today I start doing exercise & I hope to get a game of soccer in if that doesn’t make my piles drop again then they ought to be alright. I met Cpl. Batchelor down here & he’s already on his way back via RACTD. I hope to come back direct. All The Best, & keep low E.R. Morrison. I
