The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Name Jones, Hugh Richard Rank: Guardsman Service No: 2738430 Regiment: 3 Battalion Welsh Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Medal Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 07 December 1944 Date 1944 Catalogue reference WO 373/8 1st Guards Brigade, 6th Armoured Division, 10 Corps 2738430 Guardsman Hugh Richard JONES, 3rd Battalion WELSH GUARDS 27th May 1944. Mount PICCOLO. Map Ref 657294, Sheet 60/IV, 1/25,000, ITALY On the morning of Saturday May 27th, this Guardsman was with the L.M. gunner of a skeleton section attached to No. 5 Platoon H.Q. When the leading section was pinned by fire near the crest of Mount PICCOLO JONES found a fire position and engaged the enemy automatic weapons which were causing trouble to the leading section. He fired off four magazines and was wounded. Platoon H.Q. was ordered to withdraw and Guardsman JONES remained in position and fired off four more magazines, thus enabling his Platoon H.Q. to withdraw successfully to the bottom of the hill, thereby saving the lives of one Officer and four Other Ranks. By acting this way, Guardsman JONES realised that there could be no chance of getting away himself. He was severely wounded and very close to the enemy. However, refusing to give in and having accomplished so much, he lay quiet until nightfall when he was able to drag himself a little way down the hill. He lay quiet all the next day and once more when night fell dragged himself further down the hill. On the third morning he was found in an exhausted condition having had no food or water during this period. Thus Guardsman JONES enabled his Officer and Platoon H.Q. to get safely away although he was wounded and isolated himself. By his great determination and courage he also managed to avoid capture having inflicted man casualties on the enemy. Granted an Immediate M.M.