Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

Army Air Corps

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

Citation:
"From the beginning of the airborne operation at ARNHEM, 17th / 25th September 1944, this officer showed magnificent resourcefulness and dash, seeking every opportunity for offensive action against the enemy. Later on 18th September it was clear that the Battalion had been split up into small disorganised groups and that the chain of command had been lost.
Appreciating the situation this officer worked unceasingly all night and collected every man of the Battalion with whom contact could be made. By the morning following he had rallied and organised a force of over 100 men. He then took command and at once led them forward in a gallant attempt to reach the Arnhem bridge. This move was brilliantly executed and much progress made and, although eventually forced to fall back in the face of tremendous opposition, he kept his force intact and wrought great execution on the enemy. He continued to command this force with the greatest enthusiasm and bravery until some hours after he was wounded on 23rd September.
His superb gallantry and disregard for his own safety were an inspiration to the whole force. It was entirely due to his splendid leadership under great difficulties that the Battalion, from the time he took command until the end, remained a solid fighting force which the enemy's tanks, guns, mortars and infantry were never able to break."