2720019 Jack CARDUS, MM, MiD, 2 Irish Guards

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Name Cardus, Jack
Rank: Corporal
Service No: 2720019
Regiment: 2 Armoured Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Foreign to British: France
Award: Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star

5th Guards Armoured Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, 30 Corps
2720019 War Substantive Corporal, Acting Sergeant Jack CARDUS, 2nd Armoured Battalion, IRISH GUARDS

On 1 August 1944 SOUTH of ST MARTIN-DES-BESACES, a difficult situation developed with the Squadron fighting Anti-tank guns and dug in ranks at very close range. Sergeant CARDUS’ Tank was in the troop which supported the second attack against these enemy positions.

Having reached the objective, Sergeant CARDUS engaged two enemy tanks about 30 yards on his left flank: one of which he knocked out. Immediately after this he was himself knocked out by a TIGER which appeared from the flank. Sergeant CARDUS got all his crew out of his tank took them forward on foot and killed at least two of the crew of the knocked out GERMAN Tank, and then withdrew his men with their weapons complete to Squadron HQ. On his return he was only with difficulty restrained from going back with a rifle to where he knew there were more enemy tanks.

His determination to close with the enemy and his cheerful enthusiasm was an inspiration to the remainder of the squadron at this very trying time, and since that time he has always maintained the same standard through a difficult and trying time.

13 December, 1944.


Before embarkation to France in June, 1944 a list of tanks and vehicles was prepared by the 2nd Armoured Battalion, Irish Guards. On it Sergeant CARDUS is listed as being the Sergeant in command of 4 other crew members. The tank was a Sherman in No. 1 Squadron, No. 2 Troop.
The Troop Leader was Lieutenant CHAINE-NICKSON (Killed in Action 27 July 1944) who rode in another tank.
The other members of Sergeant CARDUS’ crew were Guardsman J. PHILLIMORE, Driver/Operator,
Lance-Corporal J. BLACK, Gunner/Operator (Died of Wounds 8 September 1944),
Guardsman N. HAYDEN (died 2002), Gunner/Mechanic, and
Guardsman D. STIMPSON, Driver/Mechanic (Died of Wounds 2 April 1945).

 

2nd Armoured Battalion Irish Guards: Pre-embarkation List, May 1944

No. 1 Squadron, 2 Armoured Irish Guards
No. 2 Troop

Serial: 71
Vehicle No: 147798
Type of Vehicle: Sherman

• 2720019 Jack CARDUS, MM, MiD, 2 Irish Guards Serjeant, Sjt
• 2722010 J PHILLIMORE, 2 Irish Guards Guardsman, D/Op
• 2723094 James Henry BLACK, 2 Irish Guards Lance-Corporal, G/Op
• 2722962 N HAYDEN, 2 Irish Guards Guardsman, G/Mech
• 2722018 Dennis Alfred STIMPSON, 2 Irish Guards Guardsman, D/Mech

Total Officers:
Total Other Ranks: 5

 

London Gazette : 22 March 1945
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1548/data.pdf

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1557/data.pdf