Stevens, Ronald George

Date of birth:: February 26th, 1914 (Hawera/Taranaki, New Zealand)
Date of death:: June 8th, 1944 (Italy)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Cassino
Plot: X. Row: H. Grave: 23.
Service number:: 31054
Nationality:: New Zealander

Biography

Stevens was wounded In Action 22/7/1942.
Died when pistol was fired accidentally.

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Military Cross (MC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lieutenant
Unit:: New Zealand Military Forces
Awarded on:: November 5th, 1942

Citation:
"At first light on 22 July 1942 during the withdrawal from the vicinity of El Mreir Depression, this officer when approaching 21 NZ Bn Area engaged enemy tanks which were following up with the 2-pr gun on which he was travelling. At that time the only troops in the vicinity were two 6-prs and Lieut Stevens 2-pr. All three were engaging 8 to 10 enemy tanks which were advancing, one tank at least being not more than 500 yards from Lieut Stevens gun. Lieut stevens, making excellent use of his ground sited his portee in defilade and destroyed an enemy tank which appeared to be leading the others, while the other two guns provided supporting fire. Lieut Stevens was previously wounded on a minefield, his spectacles were broken which very much impaired his sight, but he did not wish to be evacuated. His coolness in the face of such odds must have inspired the men under his command and the cooperation of all three guns plus others which joined them later stopped the advance of enemy tanks"