- SURNAME
French
- FORENAME
Richard Douglas
- UNIT
43 Commando (A Troop)
- RANK
Sergeant
- NUMBER
EX/3226
- AWARD
Military Medal and bar
- PLACE
Hvar, Yugoslavia 1944 and Italy 1945
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 08.07.1919, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire, UK
09.1942 married Mary Florence (nee Roberts) (1920-1973)
died 01.03.1999, Luton, Bedfordshire, UK
CITATION:
Military Medal : Patrol ambush on HVAR Island 12 Jul 44.
During this action, a party of enemy ensconced themselves with two MGs in an isolated house, with an excellent field of fire in all directions. It was necessary to take immediate steps to liquidate this party. Sgt FRENCH first brought his Bren Group up into position, and then alone dashed across the open ground to the house. All this time he was under heavy fire. On reaching the house, single-handed he destroyed one MG, and killed or wounded four of the enemy. His action caused the remaining enemy to surrender, thus contributing largely to the success of the whole operation. Sgt FRENCH throughout showed complete disregard for his own safety and a spirited determination to close with the enemy. He set a fine example to all ranks.
During this action, a party of enemy ensconced themselves with two MGs in an isolated house, with an excellent field of fire in all directions. It was necessary to take immediate steps to liquidate this party. Sgt FRENCH first brought his Bren Group up into position, and then alone dashed across the open ground to the house. All this time he was under heavy fire. On reaching the house, single-handed he destroyed one MG, and killed or wounded four of the enemy. His action caused the remaining enemy to surrender, thus contributing largely to the success of the whole operation. Sgt FRENCH throughout showed complete disregard for his own safety and a spirited determination to close with the enemy. He set a fine example to all ranks.
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369850http://www.commandoveterans.org/RichardFrench43RMCommando
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