The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Sibbald, John Edmund Rank: Serjeant Service No: 2615057 Regiment: 3 Battalion Grenadier Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 March 1945 Date 1945 Catalogue reference WO 373/10 1st Guards Brigade, 78th Division, 13 Corps 2615057 War Substantive Sergeant John Edmund SIBBALD, 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS During the counter-attack on MONTE BATTAGLIA (Map Ref M 0618), on the morning of 11th October, Sergeant SIBBALD was in command of the Left forward Platoon of No. 1 Company, 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS, holding the Western slope of the hill. His Platoon was strongly attacked before light by a company of enemy, a platoon of which managed to work its way into Sergeant SIBBALD's position. By his control and skill, he was able to throw the enemy back down the hill with heavy losses, causing several casualties himself; both with close range tommy-gun fire when his slit trench was rushed by four Germans, and by hurling grenades at the retreating Germans. During this desperate battle, Sergeant SIBBALD was throughout, giving an accurate account of it over his Platoon wireless set to his Company Commander. He also calmly reported yet another German company forming up on his Left flank. This information was as accurate as it was vital and passed over the wireless in the heat of a hand to hand struggle. The result of it was that an artillery concentration was at once put down on this German company, breaking up their attack and causing them to run for safety to a position from which the entire company was taken prisoner when daylight came. Signed E.J.B. NELSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS, 16th October, 1944. Granted an Immediate D.C.M.
