The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Tunnicliffe, Leonard Rank: Guardsman Service No: 2620662 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 2620662 Guardsman Leonard TUNNICLIFFE, 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS At 0515 hours on 26th July this Guardsman's Company was defending a high feature (Point 643) of vital importance to the operations of 6th S.A. Armoured Division when it was attacked by a strong force of German infantry. The attack was pressed home to point blank range and several enemy spandaus were established within 50 yards of the position. This Guardsman's Section was defending the Left flank of the Company locality, where the field of fire was limited to 30 yards owing to thick bushes. Thus, when the enemy started to infiltrate round this flank and to shoot into the flank of the position, the situation became extremely critical. WIth superb disregard for his personal safety and while under continual and close range spandau fire, Guardsman TUNNICLIFFE stood up in a completely exposed position and engaged the enemy with his bren gun, firing it from the hip. This he continued to do still under close range small arms and grenade fire for a whole hour, shooting at any enemy who showed themselves or whom he heard in the bushes, thereby effectively neutralising the very dangerous threat to this flank. There is no doubt that the fact that the enemy were finally driven off was in no small measure due to this Guardsman's magnificent behaviour. He was subsequently wounded by shellfire when he displayed outstanding fortitude and cheerfulness during the prolonged period (some hours) which elapsed before it was possible to evacuate him. Signed G.C. GORDON-LENNOX, D.S.O., Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS Granted an Immediate M.M.
