The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Bates, Richard Russell Rank: Guardsman Service No: 2696584 Regiment: 1 Battalion Scots Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 15 June 1944 Date 1944 Catalogue reference WO 373/6 LG - Viewing Page 2853 of Issue 36563 24th Guards Brigade, 1 British Division, 6 American Corps 2696584 Guardsman, Unpaid Lance-Corporal Richard Russell BATES, 1st Battalion SCOTS GUARDS Place: ANZIO Bridgehead This Guardsman, a member of an Anti-Tank gun crew showed the greatest courage and cheerfulness throughout the battle, knocking out altogether three enemy tanks and capturing a Recce car in the following circumstances:- (1) On January 26, when there was a very heavy concentration of shells on the area, six enemy tanks appeared and started shelling and machine-gunning our positions. This Guardsman immediately leapt from his slit weapon pit and engaged the tanks. One of our guns was knocked out, but this Guardsman, regardless of his own safety, continued to fire at the tanks, completely destroying one, damaging another, and causing the remainder to withdraw. (2) During the same ? a few enemy tanks approached the position again. On this occasion Guardsman BATES loaded, laid and fired the gun single-handed, knocking out another tank. (3) On February 7, during very heavy enemy artillery fire and also under snipers' fire from short range, this Guardsman with two others, crept up to his gun and knocked out a third tank, causing other enemy tanks to withdraw. (4) On February 6, a German Recce car got through our minefield and stopped fifty yards from the company position. Guardsman BATES, with one other Guardsman, advanced on the car and took prisoner its three occupants, and also captured the car, which contained among other equipment, a map with enemy mortar and gun positions marked on it. Granted an Immediate D.C.M.
