The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Burgess, Donald Frederick Rank: Guardsman Service No: 2737190 Regiment: 3 Battalion Welsh Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 March 1945 Date 1945 Catalogue reference WO 373/10 1st Guards Brigade, 78th Division, 13 Corps 2737190 Guardsman, Lance-Corporal Donald Frederick BURGESS, 3rd Battalion WELSH GUARDS Date: 11th October 1944. Map Ref: 064167 Sheet 99/IV, 1/50,000 ITALY. At 0500 hours 11th October the enemy put in an attack of No. 3 Company strength on the ridge 064167. One of the enemy leading platoons got right into No. 3 Company H.Q.s position and established a spandau 20 yards from the sentry post guarding Company H.Q. Lance-Corporal BURGESS was in the sentry post and immediately returned the enemy fire with the Bren gun; but unfortunately the Bren jammed after firing two bursts and the situation looked nasty. Lance-Corporal BURGESS left the No. 2 to get the Bren going and amid a hail of spandau bullets ran to get a tommy gun. This he got, and returned the enemy's fire, until the enemy were forced to start withdrawing. He then hurled grenades to complete the enemy confusion. His prompt and cool action in maintaining fire on the enemy and not hesitating to expose himself contributed in no small way to the enemy attack being beaten off and the capture of 75 Prisoners of War. Granted an Immediate M.M.