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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 707

The well-documented M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal L. P. Tye, 10 Platoon, 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, decorated during the fighting across Holland and the Rhine Bridgehead
At Moyland Woods on Valentine's Day 1945 he destroyed a German S.P. gun with two shots from his PIAT at a range of just 50 yards

Military Medal G.VI.R (14725302 A.Cpl. L. P. Tye. H.L.I.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, very fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 24 January 1946. The original Recommendation, dated 7 July 1945, states:

'Joining the Bn in September 1944 at Helmond as a Private Soldier Cpl Tye has fought through the campaigns of Holland and Germany with great determination, courage and loyalty. In battle his coolness under fire and clear judgement has gained for him.

At Moyland woods on the 14th February 45 whilst still a Private during a particularly unpleasant engagement, when the company was under direct fire from an enemy SP gun, he crawled forward on his own initiative to within 50 yards to knock out the gun with two well aimed shots. Returning to his section to find his section commander had been wounded Cpl Tye immediately rallied his section and led them on to their final objective.

Again, on the 27th March during the very heavy fighting that preceded the break out from the Rhine bridgehead this NCO's cheerfulness and unfailing devotion to duty did much to inspire his men. During one attack that day when the company came under direct fire from small arms and "flak" guns thus holding the forward platoons up. Cpl Tye whose section was then in reserve personally and with great gallantry led his section to attack the enemy post from the rear. So determined was this attack that post surrendered, thus enabling the company to gain his objective.

Throughout the campaigns this NCO has set a constantly high standard of gallantry and unfailing devotion to duty. His coolness under fire, cheerfulness and courage has been an inspiration to all. The fine example set by this NCO is beyond all praise.'

Leslie Paul Tye was born at Retford on 16 October 1924 and was a boot repairer when he enlisted at Lincoln on 2 March 1944. Tye completed his basic training with the General Service Corps, followed by a short stint with the Sherwood Foresters, before eventually joining the 2nd Battalion, Highland Light Infantry (2nd Glasgow Highlanders) in September 1944. This was just in time for the Rhine Crossing.

Moyland Woods

Cleve was vacated on 14 February to mount an attack on the defended woods south east of Rosendahl. The village was occupied without much opposition but on moving through to take the high ground which was the final objective C Company suffered many casualties. With A Company on their objective, B Company were pushed through to take the high ground on the right and succeeded in getting one platoon forward. This platoon faced a bitter counter-attack and destroyed a SP gun with a PIAT at 50 yards range. The ground was held that night and the following day flanking attacks by the Seaforths and Cameronians enabled the battalion to make its full advance.
(Page 249 of The Fifteenth Scottish Division 1939-1945 makes reference to the PIAT gun of Number 10 Platoon destroying an enemy SP gun.)

Rhine Bridgehead

The Glasgow Highlanders were in reserve for the assault crossing of the Rhine and it was not until they were well inside the bridgehead at Haffen on 24 March that opposition was met. Both here and in the wooded country in the area of the Mehr lakes the Battalion had to fight hard for its ground. On 27 March the Battalion faced German 88mm and flak guns at point blank range during their attack on the farm of Hegemanns-kath and at nightfall two companies had gained their objectives. The following day the enemy pulled out and the further advance of the battalion was through country littered with abandoned German equipment and decorated with white flags.

Discharged on 21 Apriul1947 Tye returned to civilian life; sold together with a quantity of original documents and photographs including his record of service, field service post card and Ministry of Pensions letter confirming he was wounded, receiving a gunshot wound to the right thigh, his Soldiers' Service & Pay Book, box of issue for his M.M., identity tags and a copy of the concise Official History 2nd Battalion The Glasgow Highlanders, which was published in Lubeck in 1946.



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Sold for
£1,900

Starting price
£1000