Personal Number: 278656 Rank: Lieutenant Name: John Elwyn RENTON, MC Unit: 6 Grenadier Guards London Gazette : 13 July 1943 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36088/supplement/3151/data.pdf The undermentioned Cadets to be 2nd L ts.: — FOOT GUARDS. Gren. G'ds. 5th June 1943:— John Elwyn RENTON (278656). London Gazette : 29 June 1944 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36586/page/3070/data.pdf The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: — The Military Cross. Lieutenant John Elwyn Renton (278656), Grenadier Guards (Harrogate, Yorks). London Gazette : 3 May 1946 https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37552/supplement/2121/data.pdf FOOT GUARDS. Gren. G'ds. 2nd Lt. J. E. RENTON, M.C. (278656) to be Lt., 4th May 1946.
The National Archives | DocumentsOnline | Image Details Renton, John Elwyn Rank: Lieutenant Service No: 278656 Regiment: 6 Battalion Grenadier Guards Theatre of Combat or Operation: Italy Award: Military Cross Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 29 June 1944 Date 1944 Catalogue reference WO 373/6 201st Guards Brigade, 5th Division, 10 Corps 278656 War Substantive Lieutenant John Elwyn RENTON, 6th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS TRIMONSUOLI, 29th January / 30th January, 1944. This Officer commanded the Left Platoon of his Company in a dawn attack. During the advance he led his Platoon with outstanding dash getting close up under the "murder" which the artillery were putting down, and getting in so quickly on its termination that the gained complete surprise and took some prisoners. However, Machine Guns and Mortars on is Left flank made consolidation difficult. With complete disregard for his own safety and with the enemy only 400 yards away, he calmly directed the consolidation, and organised the return fire with 2" mortars and riflemen, knocking out a Machine Gun post and several snipers. Due to his energy in immediate consolidation under heavy and accurate fire he was able to break up a counter-attack which developed shortly afterwards. Signed W. KINGSMILL, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 6th Battalion GRENADIER GUARDS Granted an Immediate M.C.
From The Grenadier Guards in the war of 1939-1945, by Nigel Nicolson and Patrick Forbes. v.2. Page 534 Page 383
