Auction Catalogue

4 July 2001

Starting at 12:00 PM

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Miniature Medals

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Lot

№ 314

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4 July 2001

Hammer Price:
£680

A ‘River Senio’ M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant G. E. MacLeod, 6th Royal Tank Regiment


Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7921330 L.Sjt., R. Tank R.); 1939-45 Sta; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; War Medal, together with an original group photograph taken in Beirut 1943, extremely fine (5) £400-500

M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1945.

“On the evening of 9 April 45, Sgt MacLeod was a tank commander of a troop of tanks supporting the infantry who were to assault and capture the East bank of the River Senio at MR 313319. At 1935 hrs the assault started but owing to the extremely heavy Spandau and Mortar fire from the bank, the infantry were forced to ‘go to ground’. The troop then attempted to engage the enemy fire positions but due to the failing light and close country this was not effective. Sergeant MacLeod was the leading tank in the troop, he was determined to give the infantry all the support possible for the attack. The area in front was known to contain mines, was close and had not been cleared by the infantry. Without hesitation Sergeant MacLeod went forward, unable to be covered by other tanks because of the close nature of the ground. When he arrived at what he thought was the mined area he dismounted, still under heavy mortar and spandau fire, and guided his tank safely through in the growing darkness. This tank was now in a position to deal with the spandau posts on the river bank and due to Sergeant MacLeod’s brave effort the infantry were soon able to capture the objective.”