121874 John Warwick NEVILLE, MC, 2 Grenadier Guards

Personal Number: 121874
Rank: Captain
Name: John Warwick NEVILLE, MC
Units: Grenadier Guards


London Gazette : 1 March 1940
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34802/supplement/1232/data.pdf
The undermentioned Cadets (Offr. Cadet Trng. Unit, Sandhurst), to be 2nd Lts. 25th Feb. 1940:—
FOOT GUARDS.
Gren. G'ds.
John Warwick NEVILLE (121874), from Suffolk R.

London Gazette : 1 March 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36961/supplement/1175/data.pdf
The KING has been .graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe:—
The Military Cross.
Lieutenant (temporary Captain) John Warwick Neville (121874), Grenadier Guards (London, S.W .i).

 

Recommendation for Award for Neville, John Warwick Rank: Lieutenant Service... | The National Archives
Reference: WO 373/51/182
Name Neville, John Warwick
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: 121874
Regiment: 2 Armoured Battalion Grenadier Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Military Cross
Date of announcement in London Gazette: 01 March 1945


121874 War Substantive, Temporary Captain John Warwick NEVILLE, 2nd Armoured Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS
5 Guards Armoured Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, 30 Corps

On 19th September 1944 this Division had reached within a few miles of NIJMEGEN and one Squadron of tanks with a Mot. Company were ordered to seize the main road bridge and also the railway bridge over the river. They were to be supported by a Battalion of American Airborne Troops who were to enlarge the Bridgehead as soon as the bridges were seized.

Captain NEVILLE was Second-in-Command of the Tank Squadron and was ordered to take one Troop of tanks and one Mot. Platoon with an American Company in support to seize the railway bridge. They were led by a Dutch guide into the town, who hoped to get them within 600 yards of their objective without opposition. However whilst they were still 1000 yards away they came under heavy German fire. This Officer then directed his command right through the town, encountering ever stiffening opposition from small arms, Anti-Tank guns and tanks and with the greatest possible determination fought his way right up to the ramp of the railway bridge.

His coolness, personal bravery and magnificent leadership were an inspiration to his whole command and it was only when they were within a few yards of the bridge that he was force to order the tanks to pull back as it was not possible to get the infantry through owing to the weight of the German fire. He then re-organized his command and made repeated attempts to break through, causing all the while extremely heavy casualties to the enemy. That night the group were ordered to hold the gains they had made and during darkness they beat off repeated enemy attempts to infiltrate into their positions.

The next day the battle was resumed on the morning of the 21st September. This group commanded by Captain NEVILLE took their objective. Very heavy casualties had been inflicted, 167 Germans dead being counted on the bridge alone.

During the whole of this battle this Officer at all times showed the greatest determination to execute his orders and a very aggressive spirit. There is no doubt that had it not been for his personal example of bravery and coolness in commanding the group, together with exceptional qualities of leadership that the group would not have achieved success and would have suffered very heavy casualties.

Immediate M.C., L.G. 01/01/1945

 

From The Grenadier Guards in the war of 1939-1945, by Nigel Nicolson and Patrick Forbes. v.1.

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