186929 Timothy Charles Carelton KEIGWIN, MC, 1 Irish Guards

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Name Keigwin, Timothy Charles Carelton
Rank: Lieutenant
Service No: P/186929
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Cross
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 15 June 1944
Date 1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/6


24th Guards Brigade, 1st British Division, 6 American Corps
P/186929 Lieutenant Timothy Charles KEIGWIN, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

Lieutenant KEIGWIN was in command of No. 4 Company, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS (in the area of CLO 874355) on the night of 3rd / 4th February. Throughout the night the Company was subjected to heavy shelling, and after the enemy had succeeded in infiltrating into the Battalion position, was also sniped and Machine gunned.

KEIGWIN kept complete control of the situation, and when dawn broke and revealed the Company to be surrounded, the Company was able to beat off all attacks and to eliminate the nearest snipers. From the upper stores of a house in this Company position, Lieutenant KEIGWIN directed the fire of the artillery disregarding several direct 88 mm hits on the house and constant small arms fire.

Later in the morning No. 4 Company was ordered to counter-attack up towards Battalion H.Q. The first task was to extricate Lieutenant HARCOURT's platoon which was cut off from the rest of the company. This KEIGWIN did most skilfully and successfully, killing and capturing the intervening Germans. He then led his Company into a most dashing counter-attack, which surprised and disorganised the enemy to such an extent that about 15 Germans were killed and between 130 - 150 demoralised prisoners were marched back through our lines by this Company.

Lieutenant KEIGWIN was undoubtedly the inspiration of his Company, and his cool direction and personal courage gave an example to his men which they eagerly followed. He maintained complete control throughout and when ordered to withdraw to a new position, he established a firm base through which the LONDON SCOTTISH could make their attack. In a battle where disorder reigned this Company came out in the most controlled manner with full possession of all its G. 1098 equipment and with the very highest morale. The Company was intact except for casualties and there were no stragglers.

In my opinion this Officer who had never commanded a Company before controlled and led his Company in a way which was beyond praise. He had fought extremely gallantly in Tunisia where he was wounded.

I strongly recommend him for the award of an immediate M.C.

Signed C.A. Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

 

Personal Number: 186929
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Name: Timothy Carelton KEIGWIN
Unit: Irish Guards

London Gazette : 30 May 1941
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35175/supplement/3082/data.pdf
The undermentioned Cadets, from O.C.T.U.'s, to be 2nd Lts. 17th May 1941.
FOOT GUARDS.
I. G'ds
Timothy Carleton KEIGWIN (186929).