2721063 Samuel McCOMISH, MM, 2 Irish Guards

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Name McComish, Samuel
Rank: Serjeant
Service No: 2721063
Regiment: 2 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 24 January 1946
Date 1945-1946
Catalogue reference WO 373/56

2721063 War Substantive Sergeant Samuel McCOMISH, 2nd Battalion IRISH GUARDS
5th Guards Brigade, Guards Armoured Division, 30 Corps

This Non-Commissioned Officer has shown a consistently high quality of leadership. In NORMANDY, on 3 August 1944, Sergeant McCOMISH was in command of a troop watching the rear of the Battalion position. A counter-attack delivered by tanks and infantry destroyed his other two tanks. Although completely exposed, Sergeant McCOMISH fought this tank and by accurate High Explosive fire kept the enemy infantry from concentrating and closing in. For three hours this continued, until the enemy withdrew.

At AALST in HOLLAND, on 18 September, 1944, when the Squadron in which Sergeant McCOMISH commanded a troop was held up by Anti-Tank guns, he led his tanks round the left flank and engaged them with great success, knocking out two in co-operation with the gunner O.P.

In April 1945, after crossing the RHINE, Sergeant McCOMISH was Troop Sergeant of a troop sent to try and get round the flank of the enemy holding a position at GILDEHAUS. His Troop Leader was seriously wounded, and Sergeant McCOMISH immediately moved his tank forward into an exposed position from which he could cover his Troop Leader and allow him to be evacuated. He did this under heavy fire from a S.P. and two Anti-tank guns, and although his tank was almost immediately exhausted all his ammunition. Sergeant McCOMISH then covered his crew while they withdrew, and did not withdraw himself until they had all got back.

His determination and pugnacity throughout the campaign in EUROPE have been outstanding.

Recommended for Periodic M.M.

LG 24 Jan 1946 - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37442/supplement/643/data.pdf





Photo taken on 18th September 1944, see link for details, Sgt McComish is the man sitting on top of turret.
Irish Guards Group / Guards Armoured Division, Aalst, nr Eindhoven, 18 September 1944

 

Army Number: 2721063
Rank: Serjeant
Name: Samuel 'Maxi' McCOMISH
Unit: 2 Irish Guards
Theatre: North West Europe
Date of Capture: 1945
Place of Capture:


1945 Liberated shortly afterwards.

Serjeant 'Maxie' Samuel McComish, MM from Belfast was one of my father's good friends. He is also featured in a video clip when he was POW for a few days from the 2nd April 1945, and before the GAD overran the place where he was being held. McComish is seen at the end of the clip shaking hands with the Coldstream Guardsman.








See also:

• 2721365 Lance-Serjeant Thomas Michael GANNON, 3 Irish Guards: Liberated POW
  
• 2723728 Seamus Augustine MORRIS, 2 Irish Guards
• 2723609 Daniel MURPHY, Irish Guards

 

Sergeant's Mess, Hamburg, c. 1946/7
Rear Row: D/Sgt 'Pinkie' Stewart , CSM Samuel 'Maxi' McComish MM, C/Sgt John Kenneally VC, P/Maj Reggie Batt.
Front Row: Cooper?, RSM Teddy Nye, Martin Campbell, Des Lynch DCM.

 

Irish Guards: Medal Rolls, General Service Medal, Palestine Clasp 1945 - 1948

Army Number: 2721063
Rank: Serjeant
Name: S McCOMISH, MM
Unit: 1 Irish Guards
GSM & Clasp: GSM, Palestine Clasp 1945 - 1948
TNA Reference: WO 100/526
Notes: