Auction Catalogue

17 September 1999

Starting at 12:00 PM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

The Regus Conference Centre  12 St James Square  London  SW1Y 4RB

Lot

№ 580

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17 September 1999

Hammer Price:
£540

A good ‘Senio River’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant J. Rossiter, 5th Battalion, The Buffs

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6299928 A.Sjt., The Buffs); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, good very fine (6) £450-550

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Brett Collection of Medals to The Buffs.

View The Brett Collection of Medals to The Buffs

View
Collection

M.M. London Gazette 13 December 1945.

The following recommendation was taken from official records:

‘Sgt. Rossiter joined the battalion soon after the Division landed in North Africa. He has served with distinction as Section Commander and Platoon Sergeant throughout the subsequent campaign. He has fought in the battles of Longstop, Centuripe, Cassino, the Liri Valley and the Appenines during the Winter 1944-45.

He is fearless in action but will not take undue risks in exposing his men. The many successful patrols he has led have resulted in valuable information and prisoners being brought in. On the Senio River position his cheerful and resolute action and disregard for his own personal safety were constantly in evidence. Two determined enemy counter-attacks were repulsed owing to his courage and powers of leadership.

On 10th April 1945, his platoon took part in the operation of clearing the East flood bank on the Senio River, which was occupied by the enemy. During the operation his platoon commander was killed. The platoon was under heavy fire from grenades, mortars and M.M.G’s from the West flood bank. Sgt. Rossiter immediately took over command of the platoon and himself went over the bank under fire to ascertain whether the enemy post on the far side of our own bank was still occupied or not. Finding it evacuated, he remained on the flood bank throughout the night, encouraging and steadying the platoon, which had been somewhat shaken by the continuous mortaring and the loss of their platoon commander. At first light he proceeded to ascertain whether the enemy had withdrawn from his sector. The far bank proved to be heavily mined and he was ordered to return as the platoon on his right had ascertained that his front was clear.

While returning to our bank he trod on a Schu-mine and was badly wounded. While this essential operation was in progress and until he was evacuated, he behaved with his usual courage and cheerfulness. Throughout his service he has displayed resolution, reliability and thoroughness in every task he has undertaken.’