- SURNAME
Grant
- FORENAME
Richard Henry
- UNIT
R.M. 40 Commando
- RANK
Lieutenant (MiD), Captain (MC)
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Mention in Despatches, Military Cross
- PLACE
Palestine 1949 (MiD), Cyprus (MC)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 38508, 7th January 1949, Page 189 (MiD)
London Gazette 40987, 25th January 1957, Page 653 (MC)
CITATION:
Military Cross : Capt Grant was in command of A Troop, 40 Commando Royal Marines during the whole period while he was in Cyprus from 16th September, 1955 to 15th August, 1956 Throughout this time he showed qualities of leadership and example of the highest order and great personal bravery, which resulted in his being entrusted with the command of many more men in action than his rank and age would normally warrant.
On 26th April, 1956 when travelling through the village of MRSOYI accompanied by one Marine and a driver, Capt Grant, caught a glimpse of a man throwing a bomb at the vehicle. He immediately fired 5 rounds from his pistol but failed to hit. He and the Marine then ran back to a house at the rear of the village in which Capt Grant believed his assailant had taken refuge. Disregarding his own personal safety, he entered the house alone, and there captured the bomb thrower.
A and P Troops, under Capt Grant's command, took part in operation PEPPERPOT in the mountains of Central Cyprus from 18th to 31st May, 1956. In a series of searches and brushes with the enemy a considerable quantity of arms were recovered and in conjunction with other troops, the central organisation of EOKA was completely disrupted for a lengthy period.
Later during operation LUCKY ALPHONSE lasting from 10th to 23rd June, Capt Grant was placed in command of his own troop, elements of four other troops, a Platoon from the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and a detachment of Cyprus Police, a complex organisation of about 200 men. During this operation his own troop captured a mountain gang of seven men including two with £5,000 on their heads. At the same time a disastrous forest fire occurred. Capt Grant quickly realising the seriousness of the situation, collected a number of lorries, and on his own initiative, organised the evacuation of the wounded and dead, while continuing to maintain pressure on the enemy.
From 21st January, 1956 to 2nd May, 1956, Capt Grant's troop was on detached duty in STROUMBI Camp. This camp was in a hollow with commanding ground on all sides. At midnight on 19th April, 1956, an enemy gang fired into the camp with two bren guns. Fire was quickly returned and Capt Grant personally led a force to counter attack, but the enemy withdrew before he could come to grips with them His speed and resolution on this occasion undoubtedly prevented the enemy from attacking the camp again.
During the eleven months period of operations in Cyprus, Capt Grant, by his determination and courage, kept his troop alert and filled with an intense offensive spirit. His leadership and example were beyond praise. Capt Grant's Troop never lost confidence or its high morale in spite of the strain of operations, lack of sleep and the tedium of fruitless patrols and searches. This was almost entirely due to the tireless efforts and the fine example of this one officer.
Place : Cyprus
Date of Action : 16th September 1955 - 15th August 1956
How Employed : Rifle Troop Commander
On 26th April, 1956 when travelling through the village of MRSOYI accompanied by one Marine and a driver, Capt Grant, caught a glimpse of a man throwing a bomb at the vehicle. He immediately fired 5 rounds from his pistol but failed to hit. He and the Marine then ran back to a house at the rear of the village in which Capt Grant believed his assailant had taken refuge. Disregarding his own personal safety, he entered the house alone, and there captured the bomb thrower.
A and P Troops, under Capt Grant's command, took part in operation PEPPERPOT in the mountains of Central Cyprus from 18th to 31st May, 1956. In a series of searches and brushes with the enemy a considerable quantity of arms were recovered and in conjunction with other troops, the central organisation of EOKA was completely disrupted for a lengthy period.
Later during operation LUCKY ALPHONSE lasting from 10th to 23rd June, Capt Grant was placed in command of his own troop, elements of four other troops, a Platoon from the Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, and a detachment of Cyprus Police, a complex organisation of about 200 men. During this operation his own troop captured a mountain gang of seven men including two with £5,000 on their heads. At the same time a disastrous forest fire occurred. Capt Grant quickly realising the seriousness of the situation, collected a number of lorries, and on his own initiative, organised the evacuation of the wounded and dead, while continuing to maintain pressure on the enemy.
From 21st January, 1956 to 2nd May, 1956, Capt Grant's troop was on detached duty in STROUMBI Camp. This camp was in a hollow with commanding ground on all sides. At midnight on 19th April, 1956, an enemy gang fired into the camp with two bren guns. Fire was quickly returned and Capt Grant personally led a force to counter attack, but the enemy withdrew before he could come to grips with them His speed and resolution on this occasion undoubtedly prevented the enemy from attacking the camp again.
During the eleven months period of operations in Cyprus, Capt Grant, by his determination and courage, kept his troop alert and filled with an intense offensive spirit. His leadership and example were beyond praise. Capt Grant's Troop never lost confidence or its high morale in spite of the strain of operations, lack of sleep and the tedium of fruitless patrols and searches. This was almost entirely due to the tireless efforts and the fine example of this one officer.
Place : Cyprus
Date of Action : 16th September 1955 - 15th August 1956
How Employed : Rifle Troop Commander
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/38508/supplement/189 (MiD)https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40987/supplement/653 (MC)
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7621381
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7621363
NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7621381https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7621363
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