Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Corporal

Unit:

No.4 Platoon, "B" Company, The North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment, 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

April 1945

On the 26 March 1945, the North Shore (New Brunswick) Regiment was order to take the town of Millingen which was held by the enemy in considerable force and which prevented the enlargement of the bridgehead across the Rhine.
"B" Company was ordered to clear the left flank of the main axis of advance. The enemy had set up a strongly defended locality in some buildings from which they were able to sweep the main axis with accurate and direct machine gun fire.
K/46430 Acting Corporal Reginald Alastar Shepherd a section leader of number 4 Platoon of "B" Company was advancing with his section when his company was pinned down by severe machine gun fire. K/46340 Acting Corporal Reginald Alastar Shepherd quickly appreciated the situation and pin pointed the enemy fire as coming from a house on his flank. He maneuvered, under direct fire his section of six men, across open and difficult ground with great skill and daring. Once in position he led his section in an assault against the strongly defended house. After a fierce fight he and his section captured four enemy machine guns and twenty-three prisoners. Acting Corporal Reginald Alastar Shepherd by quick thinking and determination took out the last machine gun position single handed. Once the house had been cleared, "B" Company was able to continue to advance and to clear out the rest of the enemy positions, which were delaying the main advance of the battalion.
The initiative, skill and courage of this Non Commissioned Officer provided inspired leadership to his men. His undaunted efforts destroyed the enemy stronghold thus permitting the advance of his company and in turn allowed the battalion to advance on its objective.