Connolly, Stephen John Verdun

Date of birth:: March 5th, 1917 (Llanbradach/Wales, Great Britain)
Date of death:: July 21st, 1966 (Folkestone/Kent, Great Britain)
Service number:: 4192424
Nationality:: British

Biography

Service number: No 4192424. Enlisted with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 30th December 1935 and transferred to the Reconnaissance Regiment, 49th (West Riding) Division, RAC, on 22 January 1941.
He married Audrey Joyce Thomas (born 22 February 1922), on 22 Dec 1941.

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Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lance-Corporal
Unit:: 49th Reece Regiment, 49th Infantry Division
Awarded on:: April 3rd, 1945

Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star - Citation
This NCO has been Squadron Medical Orderly since the landing. The way in which he has carried out his duties under all conditions has been quite exceptional and of the highest quality at all times; he is a byword in the Squadron for being utterly fearless of enemy fire. On all occasions when his Squadron has suffered casualties, quite regardless of his own safety, he has gone forward, dressed and evacuated the wounded: It would be difficult to quote any particular instance but the one that was particularly striking was his efforts when the Squadron came under heavy fire at close range during an enemy counter attack on the banks of the river Vire, and again during the approach to the river Seine. L/Cpl Connolly, under very heavy fire, showed utter disregard for this and devoted himself entirely to evacuating the wounded which he did successfully. It is particularly due to the efforts of the L/Cpl that no men in the Squadron have been delayed in their treatment and evacuati on. He has also been largely instrumental in ensuring that all fatal casualties have been properly collected and buried. For a very junior NCO, this initiative and coolness, quite apart from the courage shown by this NCO, have been quite exemplary and a great example to his comrades. 14 December 1944.

With Bronze star.
Decision No. 589, Cite a l'Ordre DU REGIMENT

L/Cpl. STEPHEN CONNOLLY 4192424, Reece Regt., 1, Muschamp Rd., Peckham, who, with other men of the 49th (West Riding) Division, received the Croix de Guerre from Col. Lalo of the French Army. The presentation was made during a short ceremony, in a tree-lined German avenue, while a band played the National Anthem and the "Marseillaise."