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Auction: 5005 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 563

A Good Second War Italian Front M.M. Group of Seven to Private J. Hastie, Essex Regiment Military Medal, G.VI.R (3254285 Pte, J, Hastie, Essex. R.); 1939-45, Africa, Italy, and France and Germany Stars; Defence and War Medals, extremely fine, with M.M. box and enclosure (7) Estimate £ 800-900 M.M. London Gazette 6.4.1944 The Recommendation states: On 22 Dec 1943 Pte Hastie belonged to a section of the leading platoon in the attack on the Villia Grande. His section commander became a casualty, but this young soldier immediately took charge and himself led the section into the house which was their objective, killing two of the enemy garrison as he advanced. Subsequently when the platoon was in danger of running short of ammunition Pte Hastie, without waiting for orders worked his way across open, bullet-swept ground and succeeded in getting further supplies from casualties lying there. During the night when a house in the closest contact to the enemy was being held, and lights of any kind were naturally out of the question, the quiet good humour of Pte Hastie did much to maintain the morale of all present. In the words of his Company Commander "His coolness and courage throughout the day was an inspiration to us all."´

Sold for
£2,200