Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

Medium Machine Gun Platoon, Support Company, 11th Parachute Battalion, British Army

Awarded on:

November 14th, 1947

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

"During the action at Arnhem from 18th to 25th September, Sergeant Ayres showed the most outstanding courage in the manner in which he kept his machine guns in action. At no time did he let them go unmanned despite continuous enemy mortar and shell fire. His example and devotion to duty were of the highest order. During the heaviest shelling and small arms fire he was always to be seen, going round encouraging his men. On more than one occasion he led a party under heavy shell fire to deal with snipers who were interfering with the guns. He was entirely responsible for the successful beating off of two large scale counter attacks on his sector. It was due to the exceptional valour of Sergeant Ayres and his disregard of danger that the machine guns were kept in action and the vital part of the sector held intact."