Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding Second World War ‘River Senio’ M.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant William McCusker, 2nd Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6977352 Sjt. W. Mc Cusker, R. Innis. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf, good very fine £1200-1500

M.I.D. London Gazette 19 July 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

M.M. London Gazette 5 July 1945: ‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.’

The official recommendation for an immediate award of the M.M. states:

‘1. Sjt. McCusker was Pl Sjt of 13 Pl, C. Coy, 2nd Bn. The Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers between 10/13 March 1945. His Pl were holding part of the East Bank of the Senio River. The enemy had two footbridges across the river from which they maintained a number of posts on our side of the bank.

2. On the night of 11 March Sjt. McCusker made repeated efforts to destroy both footbridges with a PIAT. Three times during the night he repelled enemy attempts to cross the footbridge, killing and wounding several of the enemy with PIAT and Bren Gun. This he managed to do despite the fact that the enemy continuously swept the East Bank with accurate and sustained Spandau fire and Rifle grenades. On the night of 12 March the enemy made very determined efforts to cross the footbridges. Six rockets were directed against the East Bank where 13 Pl were in position, two striking the bank destroying three of our weapon pits. Sjt McCusker was blown off the forward slope sustaining injuries from blast. He refused to be evacuated, however, but climbed back on to the forward slope from where he fired a Bren Gun, wounding three more of the enemy.

He then commenced firing a PIAT, first throwing 77 grenades to light up the area. Under direct observation from the far bank and with Spandau fire directed from a distance of 40 yards against him, he fired 8 PIAT bombs from the forward slope, destroying the larger of the two footbridges and damaging the other. He was wounded the next day directing 2-inch Mortar fire against enemy positions on the West Bank.

3. Sjt. McCusker, during these four nights, showed outstanding devotion to duty and courage of the highest order. His example to 13 Pl was magnificent and had a marked effect towards the determined manner in which 13 Pl routed the enemy from the East Bank and prevented them from maintaining posts there.’