Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Captain

Unit:

No. 4 Company, 3rd Battalion Coldstream Guards, 24th Guards Brigade, 6th South African Armoured Division, South African Army

Awarded on:

December 7th, 1944

"On Thursday 27 Jul 1944 No. 4 Coy 3rd Bn Coldstream Guards, commanded by Captain The Lord Andrew CAVENDISH, was ordered to capture the feature, Pt 302, South of STRADA. The company proceeded to its objective and during its advance came under considerable shellfire. Captain The Lord Andrew CAVENDISH was not present during this shellfire as he was forward carrying out a reconnaissance. On his return he found considerable confusion amongst his tired troops, several of whom had been wounded. In spite of continuous shellfire, Captain The Lord Andrew CAVENDISH rallied his men, disposed of his wounded and led his company gallantly on to the objective, where he consolidated. For the next twenty-four hours with the enemy on three sides of them and out off fire on the fourth side, his company remained on its position without food and water. During this extremely diffivult period, Captain The Lord Andrew CAVENDISH kept up the morale of his very tired troops by his endless cheerfulness, energy and disregard of danger. After 36 most difficult and dangerous hours his company was relieved having held its position under the most difficult conditions.
Captain The Lord Andrew CAVENDISH’s example and leadership unquestionably was largely responsible for both capturing and holding the 302 feature, whilst his personal gallantry was an inspiration to his men."

Awarded on:

1996