162492 Major Christopher Lawton Newton-Thompson MC, 145 Reg. Royal Armoured Corps

Discussion in 'RAC & RTR' started by Drew5233, Mar 28, 2010.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    WS/ Captain T/ Major Christopher Lawton Newton-Thompson MC, 21st Tank Brigade, 1st Canadian Division, 145th Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps.

    Awarded Immediate Military Cross.

    Ref. Map Italy 1/50,000 - Rimini - Sheet 101-111

    Major Newton-Thompson was in command of a squadron of Churchill tanks in support of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment of Cananda. He has fought his squadron with great distinction, never once failing to gain his objective. For conspicuous gallantry on the field in earlier operations on 31 Aug. 44, he has been recommended for this immediate award of the MC.

    Since that date and until he was wounded, his work and leadership have been of the highest order with the result that his officers and men have become inspired with confidence and determination.

    19 Sept. 44 Major Newton-Thompson's squadron was ordered to attack the San Fortimato feature (8294) in support of the L.E.R. Despite intense enemy fire and darkness he led his squadron to the objective thus making it possible for the infantry to close with the enemy. Having lost 4 tanks to enemy A/Tk guns and Tiger tanks, this officer quickly reorganised his squadron and continued the attack. Many enemy guns were destroyed or overrun and approx 100 prisoners taken. As a result the resistence from this enemy stronghold began to slacken. Throughout the next four hours Major Newton-Thompson directed the mopping up of remaining enemy positions, and then reported that he was ready to proceed with the further plan of crossing the R. Mare*chia. At this stage, the enemy put down a very bad concentration of artillery and mortar fire on the tanks, and the infantry reported the forming up of a enemy counter-attack. Finding that his wireless set would not work, Major Newton-Thompson calmly left the safety of his tank and walked over to that of his gunner F.O.O. in order to arrange for fire to be brought down on the enemy forming-up area. With magnificent courage and complete disregard for his own personal safetyhe remained beside the F.O.O.'s tankgiving his orders, and this despite the heavy concentration of shells falling all around him. When he had completed this task, he returned to rejoin his tank but was immediately severely wounded in his legs.

    Throughout this time his cheerfulness and determinationinspired all those around him.

    The objective had been taken when he was finally evacuated.


    Dated 8.3.45
     
  2. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Drew - Thank you very much fo those postings of Newton- Thompson and LL
    Cheers
    tom
     
  3. Tom Canning

    Tom Canning WW2 Veteran WW2 Veteran

    Drew - thinking of Maj Newton - Thompson reminded me of an incident when he was Orderly Officer in North Africa - no one ever complained of the food as he was one very big tough guy ......have a chuckle...


    .....mess tent that squadron concerts were held frequently and the two stars were Briggs(5'1") and Thirkel (6'2") both from the Halifax area who were invariably first up on stage to give us their rendition of "Gert and Daisy.They both spent a great deal of time in the cookhouse doing very menial tasks. Mention of the cookhouse leads me to a most unfortunate situation which arose through no fault of the cooking staff !
    -- 3 --
    It was decreed from on high in the Army Kitchens in the U.K. that we would enjoy the delights of a new development which had the main benefit of conserving space in the Merchant Navy ships to allow the storage of even more ammunition and guns in the sea passage from home. We would therefore have served a sufficient quantity of "Dehydrated Meat", true enough - this was "enjoyed " at least, the Orderly Officer heard NO complaints, but then he was a very big, burly, South African International Rugby player who never did get many complaints ! Major Christopher Newton-Thompson.M.C. died in May 2002.
    Later that evening, when the sun was wending it's way towards Morocco, it was noticed that our showcse latrine was quite busy and very soon became a veritable stampede with most trying "to get there in time" - many didn't, which was not too pleasant in the a.m. when it was very noticable. This was the result of the "dehydrated meat dinner" was the general consensus and everyone suffered the main effects which quickly cleared. At that time the senior N.C.O.'s and Officers dined later in the day as only gentlemen should and thus they were all unaware of the problems attending the "dehydrated meat dinner". It was much later therefore that the senior N.C.O.'s felt the need to visit the facilites of our showcase latrine which had been very busy until they made their visit with the result that the main supporting beam gave way with a mighty crack and the Squadron Sergeant Major, along with the Squadron Quartermaster Sergent, the Squadron Sergeant Cook, and the Squadron Sergeant Mechanic/Fitter of A squadron, 145th regt R.A.C. of 21st Tank Brigade, British 1st Army, landed , as they say.... in the mire.
    It was extremely difficult to keep a straight face for some time after that incident, meanwhile no more dehydrated meat was ever served again...

    it wasn't all killing...we did have few laughs ...
    Cheers
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    :lol: Cheers Tom,

    It's funny how reading some of the vets stories on here they tie in with similiar incidents in the 'modern' British Army. I can recall several similiar 'S**t house stories from Iraq some as a result of the rations too.

    The kit may have changed but it appears the soldiers never do.

    Regards
    Andy
     

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