2614198 William Edward GRANDFIELD, MM, 5 Grenadier Guards

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Grandfield, William Edward
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 2614198
Regiment: 5 Battalion Grenadier Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 07 December 1944
Date 1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/8

24th Guards Brigade, 6th S.A. Armoured Division, 13 Corps
2614198 War Substantive Corporal, Lance-Serjeant William Edward GRANDFIELD, 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

At 0400 hours on 12th July the enemy attacked the most forward Company position on the Battalion front which protected some important high ground North of the village of SAN GUSME.

The attack came in under a very heavy mortar concentration and was pressed home with great determination.

Lance-Serjeant GRANDFIELD was acting Platoon Serjeant of the right forward Platoon and took over command of it when the Platoon Commander was wounded by the initial mortar fire. Though covered by a little wire and some mines, the task of the defenders was very difficult as thick scrub and trees and corn allowed only a very short field of fire.

Twice between 0415 hours and 0515 hours about eight enemy with spandaus penetrated between the two forward Platoons and seriously threatened the vital ridge which they were holding. On both occasions Lance-Serjeant GRANDFIELD instantly led his Left hand section through the thick scrum agains the enemy and drove them back with Tommy guns and grenades inflicting casualties.

His quick determinate handling of these two situations and his admirable example of personal courage under considerable small arms fire at close range, in most trying circumstances, was largely responsible for the holding of a ridge, without possession of which the Company position could hardly have been retained.

Signed G.C. GORDON-LENNOX, D.S.O., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

Granted an Immediate M.M.