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Auction: 3016 - Orders, Medals, Decorations & Militaria
Lot: 81

A 1944 Post D-Day M.M. to Despatch Rider, Private T.H. Cross, Middlesex Regiment, for the Lebisey Woods Operation Prior to the Advance on Caen.
Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6340636 Pte. T.H. Cross. Midd'x R.), extremely fine


M.M. London Gazette 21.12.1944 Private Timothy Henry Cross, 2nd Battalion, The Middlesex Regiment.
The Recommendation states:
'Pte. Cross was D.R. to No. 7 (M.G.) Pl. of "C" Coy. On July 8th his Pl. had the task of the immediate consolidation of the South Eastern edge of the Lebisey Woods after the capture of that portion of the feature by 1st. Royal Norfolks. Pte. Cross, on his M/C and following his Pl. Comd. on his recce., reached the feature immediately behind the leading infantry, having to manhandle his motor-cycle over fallen trees and other debris. During this move through the woods, Pte. Cross personally rounded up and captured two of the enemy whom he handed over to the Royal Norfolks. The enemy now began to shell and mortar the area very heavily, particularly the forward edges of the wood where it was necessary to site the M.G. Pl. in order to obtain an effective field of fire. The Pl. Comd. and Pte. Cross carried out their recce., chose the Pl. posn. and Pte. Cross was sent back to bring up the Pl. from their forward harbour area. He returned and led the carriers as far as the going would permit and then led each gun team, under intense fire, on their long carriers to their gun posns., it being necessary to crawl the last 30 yards in each case. Shelling in the area of the carriers had now become intense and casualties to vehs. and drivers appeared certain.
Pte. Cross, on his own initiative, recced. for an alternative site and found one nearer the gun posns. where a partly demolished wall and a slight bank afforded some measure of protection. He obtained permission to move the vehs. up, returned and led the Pl. Sgt. with six carriers up to the new posn., still under heavy fire. He continued to make the journeys between his Pl. and Coy. H.Q. throughout the day. A few days later, in one of these journeys Pte. Cross became a casualty and was evacuated. His initiative and courage throughout this operation proved invaluable.'

The Middlesex Regiment 1919-32, by P.K. Kemp, page 89, refers to the courage and ingenuity of Private Cross.


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