British and World Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War ‘Italian Operations’ M.M. group of five awarded to Private William Oliver, 1st Battalion Welch Regiment

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14627409 Pte., Welch R.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, mounted court style for wear; with Welch Regiment cap badge, M.M. with slight edge bruise, good very fine (6)
£1800-2200

M.M. London Gazette 21 June 1945.

Recommendation states: ‘On 17 Jan 45 at Casa Rasponi Pte Oliver’s position was very heavily attacked, the enemy quickly surrounding the house. He cooly and steadily fired his Bren gun from an exposed window, being directly engaged by two spandaus, in spite of which he destroyed a large number of enemy. A direct hit by a shell wounded Pte Oliver but he refused treatment and evacuation and remained manning his gun for a further two hours. After the enemy had been driven off, a volunteer was asked for to fetch stretcher bearers for the seriously wounded, and under intense spandau fire he reached Coy HQ and returned with assistance.’

William John Oliver came from Trevaughan, Carmarthen. In January 1945, Oliver was serving with the 1st Battalion Welch Regiment, part of the 9th Armoured Brigade of the 1st Canadian Corps, 8th Army, in North Italy, along the Senio River. On the night of 16-17 January, “B” Company 1st Battalion Welch Regiment, who were located at Casa Rasponi and supported by a troop of 4th Hussars, were heavily attacked by the 9th Company of the 26th Panzer Grenadier Regiment (16th SS Division). The Germans were hoping to capture all the buildings occupied by the Welch, in order to prevent British close observation of the river and give early warning of any impending attack.

At 16.10 the Germans made a frontal attack on “B” Company’s position, and an hour of confused fighting followed in the darkness before dawn. Assisted by the firepower of the 4th Hussars, “B” Company repelled the attack. The enemy then withdrew and the British positions were then subject to an artillery barrage, after which a further attack was made and beaten off. Thirty Germans were left around the Welch position, eleven were taken prisoner. The Welch suffered fourteen men wounded and a Welch stretcher-bearer was shot dead whilst attempting to bring in some of the German wounded. Private Oliver, one of the wounded, suffered shell wounds to his legs.

On 30 May 1950, Private William John Oliver, M.M., 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, was made an Honorary Freeman of Carmarthen.

With copied gazette extract, recommendation, newspaper cutting and other research.