The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Hart, Edward Rank: Corporal Service No: 2736473 Regiment: 3 Battalion Welsh Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Distinguished Conduct Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 12 April 1945 Date 1945 Catalogue reference WO 373/10 36th Infantry Brigade, 78th Infantry Division, 13 Corps 2736473 War Substantive Corporal, Lance-Sergeant Edward HART, 3rd Battalion WELSH GUARDS Date: 28th October 1944. Map Ref: Point 254, 045225, Sheet 99/IV, 1/50,000, ITALY. Owing to heavy casualties amongst Officers and senior N.C.O.s, Lance-Serjeant HART was, on the 28th October 1944, in command No. 11 Platoon, 3rd Battalion WELSH GUARDS holding a house, in full view of the energy on the forward slopes of Point 254 045225. At approximately 1000 hours, learning from a civilian that the enemy were occupying a house 200 yards away in LA OOSTA 047226, Lance-Serjeant HART immediately despatched a recce patrol which confirmed this report. The information he passed by telephone to the Company Commander who ordered Lance-Serjeant HART to prepare a plan for a night attack and submit it later by telephone for approval. At 1300 hours the telephone line, the only means of communication between No. 11 Platoon and Company H.Q., was cut by heavy shell fire. Acting on his own initiative, Lance-Serjeant HART decided to take advantage of a heavy mist and at once put in a surprise attack. Covered only by two bren guns, Lance-Serjeant HART with one other man assaulted the enemy-held house with grenades and M.G. fire across 50 yards of open ground. Through the speed of his attack, and the faultless manner in which it was executed, not only was the sentry surprised but all four enemy in the house were completely demoralised and surrendered without a fight. From No. 5 Company II/755 Regiment, a new Lance-Serjeant HART not only carried out far more than his normal responsibility, but acted throughout with the greatest courage and coolness, and displayed leadership of the highest order. No praise can be too high for this N.C.O. who, through his personal bravery, initiative and well thought-out plans destroyed a dangerous enemy O.P. and obtained a most important identification. Granted an Immediate D.C.M.
Hi Catherine welcome to the forum. Appreciate you posting here. Any chance of you sharing a photo of your grandfather, it's always great to be able to put a face to a name? Have you done much research into his service?
Hi - I will find some and post Grandad didn't talk much about his service and once he returned home Mum remembers him being ill in bed for a long time (shell shock?). I have to go off to class now (nursing degree) but I will post again very soon xxx
Thanks for sharing the photos of your grandparents. If you or anyone in the family are interested in the details of Edward's service you can apply for a copy of his service records. These give information about dates of joining, courses, transfers within the regiment, illnesses/injuries, promotions etc. See this link, post 2 - Researching Guardsmen and the Foot Guards