A Second World War ‘Italy’ M.M. to Corporal W. Winders, Cheshire Regiment

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4128628 Cpl. W. Winders, Ches. R.) slight edge bruise, very fine £800-900

M.M. London Gazette 19 April 1945. ‘... in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy’.

Recommendation states: ‘ Sjt. Winders landed in Sicily in Jul. 43 as a Pte. He quickly came to the fore, developed the power of leadership and distinguished himself in action on at least five different occasions in Sicily and Italy. On two occasions he has been recommended for a decoration by his own C.O. and once by the C.O. of another unit.

During the breakout from the Anzio bridgehead on 23rd May 44, L/Sjt. Winders was pl. Sjt. of a pl. of MMG’s who were under comd. of D Coy, 1 Green Howards. On the night of 23/24 May, D Coy., who had already suffered heavy casualties, were counter-attacked in strength. Owing to the enemy pressure the MMG’s had not been moved to their correct position but were holding part of D Coys’ line. When the enemy attacked, Sjt. Winders, realising that the gun would have to be fired at point-blank range over a wide arc, removed the gun into the open. He personally manned the gun and fired with such good effect that the attack was checked.

The position of his gun was soon subjected to intense machine gun fire from several directions at once. Sjt. Winders showed a total disregard for his own safety and under very heavy fire he fired belt after belt into the advancing enemy. Not until the enemy had withdrawn and his own amm. was expended, did he himself move to the comparitive safety of the trench. This NCO showed the greatest gallantry under very heavy fire, and by his action and personel heroism he became the main factor in beating off the attack on a key point in the defences. His gallant stand in the open was an inspiration to the whole company. His continued devotion to duty is outstanding.’

The History of the Cheshire Regiment in the Second World War by Arthur Crookenden provides another slant on the action:

Winders was serving with No.11 Platoon, in “A” Company, 7th Battalion Cheshire Regiment in a reconnaisance opperation N.W. of Anzio.

‘No. 11 Platoon started the ball rolling. This platoon came under the command of “D” Company 1st Green Howards on 23rd May, and following the tanks, prepared to consolidate the feature L’Americano just occupied by the infantry. The platoon reconnaissance party encountered the enemy earlier than was expected. After having gone forward about thirty yards, they bumped the Germans and immediately opened fire with all they had, and those of the enemy that were not killed were taken prisoner.

The party resumed the reconnaisance. They had not gone very far when Sergeant W. Winders saw six enemy running to a machine gun post. He and his rangetaker, Private W. North, moved forward and were fired on by another machine gun. Sergeant Winders immediately charged on machine gun post firing his tommy-gun from the hip, and Private North attacked the other firing his rifle. The latter was wounded but continued to fire until he collapsed, thus drawing the fire from Sergeant Winders. The platoon eventually got into action, and three times Sergeant Winders and Corporal F. Hough tried to bring in North, but were pinned to the ground at each attempt. ... An infantry attack had been planned for the evening, but had to be abandoned owing to very severe casualties, so the platoon threw dannert wire round their positions and dug in on the spot. A troop of tanks moved up on the left of the platoon to assist in the defence, but could not get into position owing to heavy anti-tank gun fire; two tanks were left blazing.... It was a great day for No.11 Platoon, and as a result of the action, Lieutenant H. Humphries was awarded the M.C., Sergeant W. Winders and Corporal F. Hough the M.M., while Private W. North was mentioned in despatches’.