2692927 William Grant YOUNG, DCM, S Company Scots Guards attached 2 Coldstream Guards

Army Number: 2692927
Rank: Serjeant
Name: William Grant YOUNG, DCM
Unit: Scots Guards attached 2 Coldstream Guards

 

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Name Young, William Grant
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 2692927
Regiment: Scots Guards attached 2 Coldstream Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 07 December 1944
Date 1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/8


1st Guards Brigade, 6th Division, 13 Corps
2692927 War Substantive Sergeant William Grant YOUNG, S Company, SCOTS GUARDS attached 2nd Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS

This N.C.O. was Platoon Sergeant to No. 8 Platoon when the battle for Point 501 (Monte LIGNANO) was joined on 15th July 1944.

When the leading Platoon was pinned down by heavy fire from entrenched German machine guns, he quickly organised his Platoon into a fire position crawling about in the open along the crest of a small hillock and assisting in the siting of the Bren Gun positions.

This covering fire enabled the leading Platoon to extricate itself into dead ground and the remainder of the company to form up for the assault.

When the C.S.M. was killed he became Acting C.S.M. and later when a Platoon Commander casualty occurred he took over command of a Platoon.

During this time he showed strong powers of leadership and initiative and was an example to all. When heavy shelling was in progress Sergeant YOUNG volunteered to crawl over the crest to direct our own gunfire. A piece of shrapnel from a 88 mm shell tore the gascape on his back to shreds.

Later when mortar bombs and shell were falling in our area, Sergeant YOUNG crawled about the company encouraging the men, displaying great courage, cheerfulness and complete disregard for his own personal safety throughout the battle.

Signed Major STEELE, Commanding 2nd Battalion COLDSTREAM GUARDS

Granted an Immediate D.C.M.