Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine ‘Monte Camino’ immediate M.M. group of six awarded to Guardsman E. J. M. Worley, 6th Battalion, Grenadier Guards

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2616841 Gdmn. E. J. M. Worley. G. Gds.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these last five unnamed as issued, extremely fine (6) £1200-1400

M.M. London Gazette 23 March 1944.

The original recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states:

‘201st Guards Brigade, 56th Division, 10 Corps.

2616841 Guardsman Edward Joseph Morgan WORLEY, 6th Battalion Grenadier Guards.

Point 530 ACQUEPENDOLA, 6th-9th December 1943.

On 7th December a fighting patrol went forward to clear spandau positions along the 530 ridge and to recover Lieutenant Huntington’s body. The patrol had to be withdrawn owing to heavy Machine Gun and Mortar fire. This Guardsman stayed behind to cover them while they got back with their wounded.

He remained in a very exposed position giving covering fire with his rifle until a further patrol came and recovered the Officer's body. He displayed great courage and is the determined type who always volunteers for any dangerous or difficult task.’

(Signed) W. Kingsmill, Lieutenant-Colonel, Commanding 6th Battalion Grenadier Guards.’

Edward Joseph Morgan Worley was born in Lewisham on 5 June 1917. He enlisted into the Grenadier Guards on 13 October 1939 and joined the 2nd Battalion in July 1940. A month later he was posted to the 1st Battalion and remained with them until joining the 6th Battalion in April 1943, with whom he served in the Middle East, North Africa and Italy. He was awarded an Immediate M.M. for his part in the fierce action at Monte Camino, less than 20k from the infamous Monte Cassino. Worley was wounded in January 1944, spending over two months in hospital and was eventually posted to the 3rd Battalion in August 1944. He joined the 5th battalion seven months later and returned with them to the United Kingdom in March 1945. In October of that year he joined the 4th Battalion in Germany and was finally released in January 1946 with the distinction of having served in all six battalions of the Regiment. He died on 27 July 1996, aged 79.

Lieutenant T. W. Huntington, 6 Bn. Grenadier Guards, was killed in action at Monte Camino on 7 December 1944, and is buried in Cassino War Cemetery.