A ‘Gothic Line 1944’ M.M. group of six awarded to Company Sergeant Major Robert MacLean, 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, late 6th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, a veteran of assault landings on Madagascar and Sicily who was recommended for an Immediate Distinguished Conduct Medal for his ‘remarkable courage and devotion to duty’ during an attack when he took command of his company after its commander had been killed and during a subsequent enemy counter-attack; he was twice wounded but refused to have his wounds dressed until the attack had been driven off, and was later killed in action in an assault across the River Lamone in December 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2824275 W.O. Cl. 2 R. Maclean. Hamps R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star’ Defence and War Medals, nearly extremely fine (6) £1600-2000

M.M. London Gazette 8 March 1945: ‘For gallant and distinguished services in Italy. MacLEAN, 2824275, Warrant Officer Class II Robert, The Hampshire Regiment (since killed in action).

The recommendation for an Immediate D.C.M. states:

‘On the night of the 14/15th September 1944 “C” Coy. was ordered to attack and secure the north end of MONTESCUDO. The attack was well under way when the Company Commander who had gone forward with one of the Platoons was killed. At this critical stage of the battle with the Company fully committed, C.S.M. MacLean immediately took over command. He also got those men who had been caught in the open under cover and continued to evacuate casualties. Only when the attack had reached its objective was he able to hand over to a Pl. Commander of one of the leading platoons.

At daylight the Company was counter-attacked and C.S.M. MacLean with the reserve Platoon moved forward to drive off the German attack. During this action he was twice wounded, but displayed remarkable courage and devotion to duty continuing to inspire the men around him until the enemy were driven off. His acting Company Commander tried to persuade him to go back and have his wounds dressed but he refused and continued to do everything he possibly could to help his Company Commander to reorganise the Company. Only when everything had been put in order and the Company firmly established in the village did he agree to return to the R.A.P.’

Robert MacLean, of Clarkston, Renfrewshire, enlisted into the Seaforth Highlanders on 15 February 1940, and was posted to the 6th Battalion with whom he participated in the assault landing at Diego Suarez on Vichy held Madagascar on 5 May 1942. After service in India and Iraq the battalion next took part in the invasion of Sicily on 9 July 1943, where MacLean was wounded in action. On 19 September 1943, MacLean, now a Sergeant, was among a draft of Seaforth’s transferred to the 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, to make up for the heavy casualties suffered by the battalion during the Salerno operations. During two weeks of heavy fighting the Hampshire’s lost 29 officers and 400 other rank casualties and had ceased to operate as a unit.

On 1 February 1944, the battalion took part in the assault on Monte Ornito. Casualties were light and the German counter attacks were successfully driven off, but over the following days German artillery shelled the mountain incessantly. The bare rock made taking cover difficult and in eight days the 5th Battalion suffered 200 casualties.

On 25 August 1944, 128th (Hampshire) Brigade led 46th Division's assault on the Gothic Line, and by 2 September had breached the German defences. On 14 September the brigade assaulted Montescudo, defended by hardy mountain troops of the 100th Gebirgsjager Regiment which put up a desperate resistance. For his gallantry and leadership during the night attack and subsequent counter-attack in which he was twice wounded Robert MacLean was awarded the Military Medal.

On 3 December 1944, the Brigade made an assault across the River Lamone in the face of stiff opposition. During this assault C.S.M. Robert MacLean was killed in action and subsequently buried in Faenza War Cemetery. The son of John and Mary MacLean, of Clarkston, Renfrewshire, his headstone bears the epitaph, ‘Until the day break and the shadows flee away. Our dear son.’

Sold with full MOD record of service.