2721887 James BRANTHWAITE, MM, 1 Irish Guards

dbf · Aug 11, 2011

The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details

Name Branthwaite, James
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2721887
Regiment: 1 Battalion Irish Guards
Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy
Award: Military Medal
Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 15 June 1944
Date 1944
Catalogue reference WO 373/6
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LG - Viewing Page 2853 of Issue 36563

24th Guards Brigade, 1st British Division, 6 American Corps
2721887 Guardsman James BRANTHWAITE, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

In the ANZIO Beach head.

On the night February 21 / February 22, No. 2 Company was ordered to take over positions from a Company of the II/6th U.S. Regiment.

The Company had to move across open rough ground in the pitch dark to unknown positions, under fixed line enemy Machine Gun fire and were also heavily shelled.

Guardsman BRANTHWAITE, together with four other Guardsmen was wounded by this shelling. The four other Guardsmen were evacuated to the Regimental Aid Post, which was only a short distance away. But this Guardsman realising the importance of the ammunition load he was carrying and the necessity for the severely depleted company to have every man who could fire a riffle, concealed the fact that he was wounded and, ignoring the pain, continued with his section. He brought up his heavy burden to the company location and took up position with his section. He remained with this company for another 24 hours, manning a section post and fighting with great skill and determination until the stiffening of his wound made him incapable of moving and he was evacuated just before dawn on February 23rd.

The conduct of this Guardsman throughout an extremely difficult period when he was in continual pain and under constant fire from an enemy at close quarters was a model of courage, devotion to duty and complete disregard for himself and was an inspiration to his comrades.

I strongly recommend he be awarded an Immediate Military Medal.

Signed C.A. Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS
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dbf · Nov 14, 2019

London Gazette : 15 June 1944
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36563/supplement/2853/data.pdf
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy —
The Military Medal
2721887 Guardsman James Henry Branthwaite, Irish Guards (Preston)

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2721887 James BRANTHWAITE, MM, 1 Irish Guards

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2721887 James BRANTHWAITE, MM, 1 Irish Guards

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