Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant-Major

Unit:

C Company, 1st Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

November 16th, 1944

Recommendation:
On 23 May 1944, during the attack on the Adolf Hitler Line (In the area Map Reference 7419) by the Seaforth Highlanders of Canada, all officers of "C" Company had been killed or wounded.
K.37029 Company Sergeant-Major Joseph McPhee Duddle immediately took command of the company, re-organized it, added some leaderless men from "A" and "D" Companies, and led it forward. As it advanced, the forward elements were held up by shelling and machine gun fire from a tank located two hundred yards away on the right flank. Company Sergeant-Major Duddle led two men with a PIAT over open country swept by machine gun and shell fire to a vantage point 30 yards from the tank. Two shots were fired and the tank was knocked out. Company Sergeant-Major Duddle then returned to the company and again led it forward under intense mortar and shell fire to the objective Map Reference 727192 and consolidated 200 yards beyond it. During the advance several enemy posts were knocked out and two prisoners taken. Soon realizing that without supporting arms, the company was in danger of being cut off by enemy tanks, he withdrew to the objective.
Here he contacted Major J.C. Allan, the only remaining officer of the four rifle companies, and consolidated his company. At approximately 1600 hours Company Sergeant-Major Duddle was informed that there were still some "C" Company men ahead of the objective. Without hesitation he organized a party and went forward two hundred yards over ground swept by machine gun fire and found 9 wounded men. He improvised stretchers from pieces of railing and web equipment and commenced evacuation of the wounded despite heavy mortar fire. At approximately 1730 hours the objective was counter-attacked by tanks, and as Company Sergeant-Major Duddle and his party were cut off, they were forced to take cover. When the tanks withdrew, Company Sergeant-Major Duddle found Major Allan and many of the survivors wounded, and the position completely disorganized. Ignoring the intense enemy shelling, this Non-Commissioned Officer organized the evacuation of the wounded and consolidated the remaining 8 men on the objective.
At approximately 1900 hours, he was ordered by Battalion Headquarters to return to the firm base Map Reference 753185 which he did, attending to wounded en route and bringing back with him a seriously wounded officer of the North Irish Horse RAC. On arrival he organized a stretcher party of 8 men and despite the fact that enemy snipers were still active on the battalion front and the area was still subjected to shell and mortar fire, he returned to the objective. He continued to evacuate wounded until 0100 hours 24 May 1944.
The courage and leadership shown by Company Sergeant-Major Duddle had a great steadying influence on his men. His cheerfulness at all times and tireless energy were an inspiring example to all ranks.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 November, 1944.