Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

"A" Company, 4th battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 159th Infantry Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, British Army

Awarded on:

January 2nd, 1945

"In North-West Europe, on 16th October, 1944, during an attack on the wooded area East of Overloon, strong opposition was met from well sited defensive positions in orchards. The enemy were paratroops and well equipped with machine guns.

A Platoon of the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry was ordered to clear these orchards and so restore the momentum of the advance, but was halted some 80 yards from its objective by automatic fire from enemy machine gun posts. This fire was so heavy that it appeared impossible for any man to expose himself and remain unscathed.

Notwithstanding this, Sergeant Eardley, who had spotted one machine gun post, moved forward, firing his Sten gun, and killed the occupants of the post with a grenade. A second machine gun post beyond the first immediately opened up, spraying the area with fire. Sergeant Eardley, who was in a most exposed position, at once charged over 30 yards of open ground and silenced both the enemy gunners.

The attack was continued by the Platoon but was again held up by a third machine gun post, and a section sent in to dispose of it, was beaten back, losing four casualties. Sergeant Eardley, ordering the section he was with to lie down, then crawled forward alone and silenced the occupants of the post with a grenade.

The destruction of these three machine gun posts singlehanded by Sergeant Eardley, carried out under fire so heavy that it daunted those who were with him, enabled his Platoon to achieve its objective, and in so doing, ensured the success of the whole attack.

His outstanding initiative and magnificent bravery were the admiration of all who saw his gallant actions"

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Private

Unit:

"A" Company, 4th battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry, 159th Infantry Brigade, 11th Armoured Division, British Army

Awarded on:

March 1st, 1945

"On 1 Aug 44 at LE BENNY BO CAGE Pte EARDLEY was a member of a recce patrol. During the patrol Pte. EARDLEY was ordered to move down a hedge, and this meant that he was separated from the rest of his patrol. As he moved down the hedge he came under intense fire from a concealed MG post at the end of the hedge at a range of about 20 yds. Pte. EARDLEY by some chance, was not hit. He therefore pretended that he had in fact been hit, and while the rest of the patrol engaged the enemy's attention, he proceeded to stalk the MG post, finally he threw two grenades at the post and finished off the occupants with his sten gun.

This man's gallant action and his utter disregard for his personal safety were an inspiration to all."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)