2622000 Ronald WOOD, MM, 3 Grenadier Guards

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Wood, Ronald
Rank: Guardsman
Service No: 2622000
Regiment: 3 Battalion Grenadier 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
2622000 Guardsman Ronald WOOD, 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS

In the early morning of 11th October when the Germans counter-attacked MONTE BATTAGLIA (Map Ref. M. 0618), Guardsman WOOD was manning a bren gun in the Left forward Platoon of No. 1 Company, 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS on the Western slopes of MONTE BATTAGLIA.

A Section of Germans approached WOOD's slit trench firing a light automatic and killing a Guardsman in WOOD's trench. WOOD at once fired back at close range but the bren gun stopped after two rounds. WOOD picked up the gun and knocked the leading German over the head, stunning him. He struck the next one with his fists and when the remaining four Germans attempted to rush the trench, WOOD hurled grenades at them at five yards' range causing them to run away in disorder.

He continued to throw anything he could lay his hands on and soon the entire enemy platoon were retreating. In their flight one of the Germans tripped over a 'beehive' booby-trap, previously laid in front of the position, which exploded and its blast caught another fresh German platoon who were moving up the hill in close formation. This platoon suffered 50% casualties, and fled in disorder.

Guardsman WOODS' initiative, presence of mind and complete disregard for his own safety caused the rout of an entire enemy company, whose attack, if it had succeeded, would have prejudiced the whole Battalion position.

Signed E.J.B. NELSON, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 3rd Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS, 16th October 1944

Granted an Immediate M.M.

 

Thank you for uploading this! I’ve been watching docuseries lately on WWII and discovered that Ron Wood is my great grandfather. My dad sent me the letter he received which led me to find something on Google. I’d love to know how you found this?

 

It can be found here.

Recommendation for Award for Wood, Ronald Rank: Guardsman Service No: ... | The National Archives

 

Hello Cally-Mae.

As forum member dbf (Diane) link in post #1 is no longer working here's your great-grandfather's recommendation for the Military Medal (as held and available from The National Archives at Kew)





And here's the link to the recommendation on The National Archives "Discovery" webpage:

Recommendation for Award for Wood, Ronald Rank: Guardsman Service No: ... | The National Archives

Kind regards, always,

Jim.

P.S. Pdf. version of recommendation attached too.

 

And Owen types (and thinks!) much faster than me

Kind regards, getting slower day by day, always,

Jim.

 

Hello and thank you both for responding! I wasn’t expecting a reply so appreciate it.

 

Hi,

Welcome to the forum.

Owen & JimHerriot beat me to it.

You should really apply to UK MOD for his service file via this link to
learn more about his army career. You will need to provide proof of death if he was born less than 116 years ago.

Get a copy of military records of service

You ought to submit your request before the end of January as it is currently free but a fee will be charged for applications made from the beginning of February.

If MOD have already sent his file to National Archives you will be signposted to make an application there. You need to resubmit the proof of death.

Good Luck

Steve

 

I will do just that, thank you so much for all your help!

 

Thank you Cally-Mae.

Your great-grandfather was awarded the General Service Medal for service in (then) Palestine too.

Kind regards, please do take up Steve's (forum member Tullybrone) advice regarding service record, always,

Jim.




And here's the full page:

 

FYI Cally-Mae Ward

Here is the link to the GG WW2 Regimental history - for the Battalions who served in Mediterranean theatres of war.

If you scroll forward to the chapter thsty covers your GGF Battalion activities in October 1944 you will get an overview of the situation. The book is not downloadable but you will be able to save screen prints.

You should find mention of your GGF in the list of Honours & Awards if you do a book word search on his surname or regimental number.


Steve

 

Thank you both I need to locate his death certificate somehow so working on this.

Steve, where might I find the link for the WW2 Regimental History?

 

Sorry I forgot to attach the link and now find it won’t open. I’ll try again later.

EDIT

Cally-Mae Ward

LINK HERE

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015010214115&seq=8

Steve

 

If not available from within the family you should be able to find details online from one of the family history sites, if you have difficulty, get back, need full name, date of birth, date of death, location where death likely to have been registered. A fairly common name but with the details can be applied for from Gov.Gro.UK, will be sent in a few days at low cost.

 

I’ve learnt a lot today about my grandfather which is so interesting. Pictured here
Through relatives I have been sent a comic strip that was based on his story in Mount Battaglia if anyone is interested in reading!

 

Thanks for sharing Cally.

I expect I’m not the only forum member of a “certain age” who can remember reading those Victor boys comic front page stories every week.

I never kept the weekly comics but I still have the 1967,1968 & 1969 “annuals” bought for me as presents at Xmas 1966, 1967 and 1968 together with the Victor comic competitor publications The Hotspur & The Valiant.

Steve

EDIT TO ADD

Cally-Mae Ward

Here is a Feb 1964 edition of The Victor comic featuring the VC award to CSM Peter Wright 3rd Coldstream Guards in Italy Sept 1943.