Durham Light Infantry Citations

Discussion in 'Durham Light Infantry' started by Drew5233, Dec 17, 2009.

  1. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM.

    At Tobruch (Tobruk?) on the night 7/8th December 1941, 'C' Company carried out an attack on the left of the Battalion on Pt. 157. Cpl. Oliver became seperated from the rest of the Company in the dark. He collected seven men, carried out two assaults on enemy MG positions, captured two machine guns and twenty prisoners and then organised a defensive position with enemy captured weapons on the flank of his Company.

    He showed great courage during this operation and was an excellent example to his men.

    Gazetted 24.2.42
     
  2. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM.

    No citation listed.

    Gazetted 4.11.41
     
  3. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM.

    On the night 14/15 December 1944 Sergeant Ridley was in command of No.3 Platoon 'A' Company in a night attack on Pt.168 and Casa Bianca (254229). No.3 Platoon was in reserve. No.2 Platoon, the left leading Platoon, ran onto a Schu Minefield, suffered several casualties and withdrew to the reserve Platoon area. Sergeant Ridley personaly went into the minefield three times to bring out casualties. This he did inspit of considerable mortar and Spandau fire. No.3 Platoon was then ordered up on the right to exploit behind the right forward Platoon which had gained a foothold on Pt.168. The enemy were holding positions less than one hundred yards away, but No.3 Platoon dug in successfully. They were under constant Spandau and grenade fire from very close quarters, but due to the inspiring leadership of Sergeant Ridley stuck to their positions. All other NCO's were wounded and eventually he was hit also, but he continued tirelessly to visit his pits and encourage the men with complete disregard for his own personal safety. He personally accounted for three enemy, and would not go back to the RAP until 24 hrs later when the Platoon was relieved.

    Gazetted 24.5.45
     
  4. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Awarded DCM.

    No citation listed.

    Gazetted 4.11.41

    Bill Roberts was born in Tonypandy, South Wales, in 1918. He was called up in September 1939 and joined the 8th Battalion DLI. In May 1940, 8 DLI counter-attacked the German Panzers at Arras and, in the confused fighting, Private Roberts was taken prisoner. He was first sent to a Prisoner of War camp at Thorn in Poland and then to a small farm camp.
    On 21 September, he escaped with Corporal Tony Bainbridge, also from 8 DLI, and a soldier of the Green Howards and began the long, dangerous journey back home. Travelling by night, hiding by day, the three eventually met with the Polish underground and were given shelter, food, clothes and money. Finally, in February 1941, they crossed the Soviet Russian frontier and were immediately imprisoned. Only when Russia entered the war were they released on 8 July 1941 and sent home.
    All three men were awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for this remarkable escape. After the war, Bill Roberts joined the Prison Service and worked in Durham until his retirement in 1982.
    He died on 3 October 1994


    Verrieres
     
  5. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM.

    Immediate.

    Sergeant Robinson commanded a section of three men who were part of a covering party on a RE enterprise at Maungdaw (Then in enemy hands) on the night 16/17 May 1943. It was Sergeant Robinson's party withstood an enemy bayonet charge after the enemy had sustained heavy casualties in their MG positions. The bayonet charge was made with the greatest ferocity and was met by firing from the hip with LMG's. In the subsequent proceedings two of Sergeant Robinson's men were bayonetted but their assailants in each case had their skulls battered in by other members of the party. It finaly ended in unarmed combat which resulted in two more of the enemy being destroyed by various methods, making a grand total in that affair of twelve or thirteen dead Japs and only two survivors. At that stage Robinson was ordered to embark , but as the launch had been destroyed he took his wounded with him and searched for and subsequently found a sampan in which they all reached Teknaf in safety.

    Sergeant Robinson's part in the operation was simply outstanding. When he wasn't killing Japs he was laughing in sheer enjoyment, and the reliance his men have in his personal courage, quick appreciation and decisive action ensures the success of any future enterprises under his command.

    Gazetted 22.7.43
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM.

    Immediate.

    On 8th September 1944 near Gheel, Sergeant Self was Platoon Commander of the assault platoon which was detailed to making the initial crossing over the Albert Canal. During the crossing all of the Officers of his Company were either killed or wounded but together with the Sergeant Major, he succeeded in taking the objective against heavy opposition and taking a number of prisoners. Having taken up their position they were subjected to heavy mortar and machine-gun fire. Sergeant Self himself, taking a couple of men, went out and silenced two Spandau nests. During the night they were heavily counter-attacked. During this very difficult period by his own personal example he held his men together when out of touch with the remainder of the Battalion and defended his position with great skill although suffering many casualties. The enemy was driven back leaving many dead on the field.

    The next dat the Company was moved forward and the Acting Company Commander was taken prisoner. Sergeant Self at once took command of the Company and although over-run by tanks and a large number of enemy infantry, he inflicted heavy losses on the enemy and succeeded in getting the majority of his men back through enemy lines to safety, where they took up defensive positions and helped repulse the strong enemy counter-attacks.

    Sergeant Self was an inspiration to all those around him by his complete disregard for his own personal safety and calmness in very trying circumstances when he suddenly found himself in command of the Company.

    Gazetted 1.3.45
     
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Awarded DCM.

    Since Killed in Action.

    Immediate.

    CSM Thompson, 'C' Company, DLI crossed the River Simeto during the daylight attack on the Primosole Bridge on July 17th with Comapny HQ immediately behind the leading platoons. As soon as they set foot on the far bank they were attacked by Germans on all sides. During the hand-to-hand fighting the Company Commander disappeared and both Platoon Commanders became casualties. CSM Thompson tok charge. He organised the Platoons so that they fought off all efforts of the enemy to overrun his Company. Finally, realising they could not hold their ground, he skillfully arranged their withdrawal back across the river so that they suffered the minimum casualties. During the night attack on July 18/19th on the same position CSM Thompson took charge of a portion of his Company who became very split up owing to very well hidden enemy strong-points in the vineyards. When dawn came his small party were taking cover with most of Battalion HQ in a ditch only 100 yrds. from an enemy strong-point in No Mans Land where they were being shot up badly on both sides. CSM Thompson volunteered to crawl 200 yrds. back to get a smoke screen put down. So successful was the smoke screen that all the force got back without further loss.

    CSM Thompson has at all times shown most distinguished and brave conduct in the field. Always cool, calm and full of zeal, he is an inspiration to the Battalion in battle.

    MID 13.1.44

    Gazetted 21.10.43
     
  8. 1973mackem

    1973mackem Junior Member

    Do you have any details of MM recipients?
    Dave
     
  9. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Do you have any details of MM recipients?
    Dave

    I have quite a few but not posted here any particular one you are intrested in?

    Verrieres
     
  10. 1973mackem

    1973mackem Junior Member

    Verrieres,
    My Grandad
    Corporal David Wood Rodley Durham Light Infantry WW1, his medal card for the 1915 star gives a number 275177, is that his army number? Local paper had an item on 05-07-1918 saying he received the MM and he had joined the army five years ago and been in France for 3 and a half years. London Gazzette Supplement mentions him on 06-08-1918.
    Dave
     

    Attached Files:

  11. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    All the information I posted above regarding Distinguished Conduct Medals is taken from the following book:

    For Distinguished Conduct in the Field: The Register of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1939-1992 by George A Brown.

    Nearly all WW2 Citations can be found online at the link below:

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Refine Browse Criteria

    The thread below will show you how to access the original citations listed on the National Archives website for free so don't pay the £3.50:

    http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/searching-someone-military-genealogy/14038-national-archives-kew%3B-recommendations-medals.html
     
  12. matty100a

    matty100a Junior Member

  13. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Matt,

    Once you've down loaded the file I scroll down the left column looking for the Medal (Its normally goes in this order- DSO, MC, DCM then MM) and appropriate date. Once I've found the correct section I scroll through the citations on the right until I find the one I'm after. Infantry normally comes after the Armoured, Artillery, Engineers and Signals units.

    Andy
     
  14. matty100a

    matty100a Junior Member

    Matt,

    Once you've down loaded the file I scroll down the left column looking for the Medal (Its normally goes in this order- DSO, MC, DCM then MM) and appropriate date. Once I've found the correct section I scroll through the citations on the right until I find the one I'm after. Infantry normally comes after the Armoured, Artillery, Engineers and Signals units.

    Andy

    This link =

    The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Download Documents

    appartenly contains the information about 3191176 Corporal James Allan Martin, 8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry

    but the dates in the documents that i downloaded are all from 1945 which doesnt make sense and is confusing me!! Could you shed any light on this please

    Regards

    Matthew
     
  15. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Hi Matty,
    Is it a DLI citation you are after? I`ve downloaded most of them already if it helps I`ll scan and post it save you some time?
    Jim
     
  16. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Hi Jim,

    Its the one in post 18 - 3191176 Corporal James Allan Martin, 8th Bn. Durham Light Infantry.

    For some reason I can't get on the National Archives site at the moment.

    Regards
    Andy
     
  17. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Hi Drew ,
    No problem I`ll have a look now It will be here somewhere(I Hope)
    Jim
     
  18. matty100a

    matty100a Junior Member

    Thanks for the help i appreciate it , it seems to be very hard finding information im after!!!

    Regards

    Matthew
     
  19. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Matty - Jim is the DLI expert on here with his own DLI website so if anyone can help you on here he's your man. I'll start a thread for you if you like to post your questions and any info you already have etc in?

    Andy
     
  20. Verrieres

    Verrieres no longer a member

    Found them give me a few minutes to re-scan them
    Jim
     

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