2722217 Alfred Henry CROSS, MM, 1 Irish Guards

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    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details
    Name Cross, Alfred Henry
    Rank: Guardsman
    Service No: 2722217
    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

    LG - Viewing Page 2853 of Issue 36563

    24th Guards Brigade, 1st British Division, 6 American Corps
    2722217 Guardsman, Lance-Corporal Alfred Henry CROSS, 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS

    On February 27th Battalion H.Q. situated behind the railway embankment at APRILLIA was subjected to an intense concentration of enemy artillery. The 3 ton ammunition lorry of the 5th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS was parked opposite the slit trench occupied by this Lance-Corporal. The truck was hit by a shell and immediately set on fire. Completely disregarding the exploding 3" Mortar bombs and Anti-Tank shells which were going off in all directions Corporal CROSS jumped out of his trench, ran to the truck and pulled out of the front seat the GRENADIER Warrant Officer in charge who had been severely wounded. The burning truck attracted many enemy shells, and S.A.A., had now begun to explode, but this Corporal completely ignored his own personal danger and carried the wounded man to the Regimental Aid Post.

    Throughout the subsequent days this Lance-Corporal showed the greatest coolness and steadiness in the most trying and dangerous situations.

    On the morning of February 4th when Battalion H.Q. were forced to withdraw from their position this Corporal and two others under command of Major GORDON-WATSON fought their way back through an area infested with Germans until they reached No. 4 Company. This Corporal personally accounted for several Germans and greatly assisted the survival of his comrades by his alertness, initiative and bravery. He arrived back at Brigade H.Q., personally escorting 12 prisoners.

    Lance-Corporal CROSS is a man who has spent most of his army life in the Orderly Room behind a typewriter where he has rendered invaluable service, but in this campaign he has shown that he is a fighting soldier whose courage, devotion to duty, and complete disregard for personal safety is quite remarkable.

    I strongly recommend that he be awarded the M.M.

    Signed C.A. Montagu-Douglas-Scott, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS
     

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    Last edited: Nov 8, 2019

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