The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Bland, Thomas Riviere Rank: Lieutenant Service No: P/176760 Regiment: First Battalion Scots Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Cross Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 February 1945 Date 1944-1945 Catalogue reference WO 373/9 24th Guards Brigade, 6th SA Armoured Division, 13 Corps P/176760 War Substantive Lieutenant Thomas Riviere BLAND, 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS On 26th July 1944, the Battalion was ordered to attack and capture MONTE S. MICHELE, 12 miles South of FLORENCE. This feature was the highest between our advance elements and FLORENCE, which it was considered at the time would fall very soon after its capture. The Company in which Lieutenant BLAND was serving was one of those selected for the assault on this important objective and his platoon was ordered to advance round the shoulder of the hill and work up to clear the top. As they were rounding the shoulder Lieutenant BLAND heard enemy Machine Gun fire coming from the reverse slope and advanced to eliminate it. Soon he himself came under heavy fire, both from enemy weapons and the cross fire of our own troops. He extricated his platoon and moved forward again. The enemy fire again increased till, in a most exposed position, a mortar bomb landed and wounded Lieutenant BLAND in the chest, arm and face. He lay there fore some time refusing to allow anyone to take the risk of moving him, but later during a lull his platoon succeeded in moving him back to cover. By this time there had been other casualties and the platoon was pinned down, but Lieutenant BLAND insisted on remaining with this platoon in spite of his serious wounds, for seven hours, encouraging his men and commanding them as best he could till he was satisfied that the situation was under control. Only when the objective was finally captured did he allow himself to be evacuated. This Officer has served in ITALY since the initial landings and has shown throughout the greatest bravery and sense of duty. His powers of leadership and unfailing cheerfulness have been beyond praise. Signed Major, Officer Commanding, 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS Granted an Immediate M.C.
