Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lance-Corporal

Unit:

A Company, 1st Battalion The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry, 4th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Recommendation:
On the morning of 14 April 1945, during the attack by the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry on Groningen in Holland, a platoon of “A” Company finally occupied a house which the enemy had covered by withering and demoralizing machine-gun, sniper and Spandau fire. Many of the men were wounded and incapable of defending the position, leaving the house very vulnerable to counterattack.
Lance-Corporal King immediately volunteered to get the information back to his company commander and to bring up reinforcements and medical supplies for the wounded. In order to accomplish this difficult task Lance-Corporal King had to run into the open street in the face of very heavy enemy machine-gun fire. As a result of his race through the heavy fire concentrated on the street, Lance-Corporal King was successful in reaching his company commander and passing on this vital information. Reinforcements and the necessary medical supplies were immediately sent forward with the result that the platoon was amply reinforced and enabled to hold this important position.
Lance-Corporal King’s great bravery and disregard for his personal safety relieved this dangerous situation and undoubtedly contributed to the success of the operation.