PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: GUNDEL, Clements DOB: 7 Nov 1908 Place of Birth: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Residence: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire Trade/Profession before enlistment: Parents: Fredrich Gundel and Elizabeth Gundel nee Newton. Census: 1911, 48 Broxtowe Drive, Mansfield Wife: Phoebe Gundel nee Greatorix Photo: Died: 1983, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire SERVICE Army/Personal Number: 2717328 Rank: Serjeant Regiment/Battalion: Irish Guards, 1st Battalion As at 01/09/1939: Enlisted: Discharged: Promotions: Aquittance Roll: Army Casualty List (WO 417): 2717328 Serjeant Gundel C 1943 Irish Guards The Times Casualty List: published MEDALS Gallantry Award/Honour: Distinguished Conduct Medal The Times, 16th June 1944: D.C.M. - Sgt. C. GUNDEL, Irish Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy London Gazette, 15th June, 1944: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36563/supplement/2853/data.pdf War Office, 15th June, 1944 The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy — Distinguished Conduct Medal. No 2717328 Sergeant Clements Gundel, Irish Guards (Mansfield, Notts). Citation: "24th Guards Brigade, 1st British Division, 6th Army Corps 2717328 Sergeant Clements GUNDEL, 1st Bn IRISH GUARDS In the Anzio Beach Head. This NCO has commanded a platoon of No.2 Company since the Battalion landed on the beaches, he has been through every action fought by the Battalion and has on all occasions distinguished himself by his skill, fine leadership and personal courage. In the night attack, January 29/30 made by this Battalion, in repelling enemy attacks by day and by night, in hand-to-hand fighting with the enemy, under heavy shell and mortar and SAA fire and in eliminating enemy snipers and MG posts, he has set an example of rugged determination and stoical indifference to the worst that the enemy could do that was an example and encouragement which the men under his command were proud to follow. On the night of February 21/22 when No.2 Company was taking over positions from Americans, his platoon came under heavy shell-fire and MG fire from nearby enemy positions. Sergeant GUNDEL kept complete control of the situation, encouraged the covering LMG fire which disposed of the MG's and led his platoon to the forward positions allotted to them. There they found there were no positions prepared so Sergeant GUNDEL with two LMG gunners protected the remainder of the platoon while they dug in, successfully beating back the German patrols which attempted to infiltrate. By dawn the platoon was successfully established and for 4 days until relieved, held their positions against constant enemy efforts to dislodge them both by day and by night. Owing to the original small numbers of the company and the daily casualties there could be little rest for anyone and none for Sergeant GUNDEL, but his energy and determination were as unfailing as his personal conduct was gallant. On two successive nights he went forward himself to destroy enemy snipers that had been located by day on 200 yds. from his Company position and by his successful elimination of them discouraged the Germans as much as he encouraged his platoon and company. In view of this NCO's long record of devoted and gallant service in Tunisia and Italy and his particularly conspicuous gallantry between 21/25 February, I strongly recommend him for the immediate award of the DCM." Recommendation: Campaign Medals: Medal Roll Details: REFERENCES War Diaries: War Diary: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, September 1939 - July 1944 Archive Files: WO 417 Publications: IG History - pgs. 170, 254, 331 Accounts: From IG History, FitzGerald, page 331/2: "Sergeant Gundel now commanded Lieutenant Harcourt's platoon. He had seen his own company - No. 1 - destroyed, but he was, if anything, invigorated by disaster. By nature gloomy, he became almost cheerful during these dreadful days. He also became even more militantly English than he had been in the Sergeant's Mess. "I may not come from Ireland, but I'm as good a ---- Mick as you" and he was. On this night, as always, he showed the rugged determination and stoical indifference to the worst the enemy could do that won him his D.C.M. He led his platoon - "Get a move on and keep quiet" - up the far side of the gully, and directed the Bren gunners on to the nearest Germans. The platoon swarmed up after him and, while he and the Bren gunners beat off the German patrols, the sections dug the trenches they were to hold for four days." Newspaper: Websites: Irish Guards: Gallantry Awards & Honours - WWII Open Resource Group GUNDEL, CLEMENTS, DCM, 1BN
1st Bn Irish Guards, Honours & Awards, Chelsea Barracks, 1944 Back Row: D/Sgt. M. Moran, MM, C.S.M. P. Mercer, MM, L/Sgt D. Smith, Mentioned in Despatches, Captain A.F.D. O'Neill (R.A.M.C.), Mentioned in Despatches, Sgt R. Thorogood, Mentioned in Despatches, C.S.M. G. Stone, Mentioned in Despatches, Sgt. A. Hughes, MM Middle Row: R.S.M. F. Kenny, Mentioned in Despatches, L/Sgt R. Murphy, MM, Guardsman J. Branthwaite, MM, Guardsman T. Barker, Mentioned in Despatches, Sgt. M. O'Brien, MM, Sgt, C. Gundel, DCM, Sgt. R. McConnell, MM, L/Cpl A. Cross, MM, L/Cpl H. Hayman, MM, L/Sgt C. Weir, MM, Rev. Fr. J.R. Brookes, Mentioned in Despatches Front Row: Lieut. (QM) H.F. McKinney, MBE, Mentioned in Despatches, Guardsman P. O'Shea, DCM, R.S.M. W. Rooney, MM, Major G.P.M. FitzGerald, MC, Major H.L.S. Young, DSO, Captain & Adjutant D.J.L. FitzGerald, MC, L/Sgt J.P. Kenneally, VC, Major D.M.L. Gordon-Watson, MC, Guardsman R. Adamson, DCM, Captain C.D. Kennard, DSO, Captain O.S. Chesterton, MC, Guardsman J. Ryan, MM, Captain T.C. Keigwin, MC Amongst those not in the photograph are Major D.M. Kennedy, MC, WO II D T Lynch DCM (POW) & Serjeant W. Montgomery, DCM (POW).
Back Row - L/Sgt. W. MONTGOMERY, L/Sgt. D. WATSON, L/Sgt. C. WYATT, L/Sgt. O. WILLIAMS, Sgt. P. MORIARTY, Sgt. G. WHELAN, Sgt. J. CARSON, Sgt. O. O'SULLIVAN, Sgt. R. McCONNELL, M.M., Sgt. M. McCARTHY, Sgt. F. TABERN, Sgt. M. O'BRIEN, M.M., Sgt. C. GUNDEL, D.C.M., Sgt. M. McCLEAN, L/Sgt. H. CLAPHAM Fourth Row - Sgt. P. HATCHE, L/Sgt. G. SPICER, L/Sgt. G. BANKS, L/Sgt. L. BRADLEY, L/Sgt. H. SCOTT, L/Sgt. F. DOLAN, L/Sgt. J. HIRST, L/Sgt. J. DUNN, L/Sgt. R. DELBRIDGE, L/Sgt. T. TOPPING, L/Sgt. W. McKIBBEN, L/Sgt. J. BROOKS, L/Sgt. R. SWIFT, L/Sgt. C. McKEOWN, L/Sgt. V. POUNTNEY, L/Sgt. C. WEIR, M.M. Third Row - L/Sgt. J. P. KENNEALLY V.C., Sgt. E. BARRETT, Sgt. F. McCARTEN, L/Sgt. G. HEBDEN, Sgt. J. BIGLEY, L/Sgt. J. PRYTHERICK, Sgt. F. EDWARDS, L/Sgt. F MANSFIELD, L/Sgt. R. DITCHFIELD, L/Sgt. E. DONNAN, Sgt. J. RYAN, L/Sgt. S. CARR, L/Sgt. P. McNALLY, L/Sgt. C. CHAFFER, L/Sgt. S. BALSHAW, L/Sgt. C. ENGLISHBY, L/Sgt. N. SEARLE Second Row - Sgt. A. BARRETT (R.E.M.E.), Sgt. G. CURRY, Sgt. P. McCARTHY, Sgt. D. McALLISTER, Sgt. C. BENNETT, Sgt. W. CRAWFORT, Sgt. A. HUGHES M.M., Sgt. J. ALEXANDER, Sgt. R. THOROGOOD, Sgt. L. SARGANT, Sgt. J. KELLY, L/Sgt. J. COULTER, L/Sgt. R. MURPHY M.M., L/Sgt. J. DORAN, L/Sgt. T. BARROW, L/Sgt. D. SMITH, L/Sgt. F. MEARS Front Row - L/Sgt. J. DELAHUNTY, Armr. S/Sgt. A. WORLEY (R.E.M.E.), C.Q.M.S. T. CRYMBLE, C.Q.M.S. J. MOORE, C.Q.M.S. S.W. BARRETT, C.S.M. P. MERCER M.M., C.S.M. J. STUART, C.S.M. W. PESTELL, R.S.M. W. ROONEY M.M., Capt. & Adjt. D.J.L. FITZGERALD M.C., R.S.M. F. KENNY, Major D.M.L. GORDON-WATSON M.C., R.S.M. J. McLOUGHLIN, R.Q.M.S. M. GREY, D/Sgt. M. MORAN M.M., C.S.M. G. STONE, C.S.M. E. WEIR, C.Q.M.S. J. SMYTH, C.Q.M.S. P. BOYLE, C.Q.M.S. W. WALLACE, C.Q.M.S. T. DOONAN IRISH GUARDS PHOTOGRAPHS
