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

№ 315

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4 July 2001

Hammer Price:
£680

A ‘Crossing of the River Idice’ M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal J. T. Pritchard, 6th Royal Tank Regiment


Military Medal, G.VI.R. (7924641 Cpl., R. Tank R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence & War Medals, together with a named Catterick Garrison boxing prize medal, nearly extremely fine (7) £400-500

M.M. London Gazette 19 July 1945.

“On 20 April 1945 during the crossing of the River Idice, Cpl Pritchard was the tank commander of a troop of tanks supporting a Company of infantry on the right. The troop had been ordered to support the infantry into the floodbanks at all costs.

The tanks closed to within a few yards of the enemy positions but owing to an anti-tank ditch at the base of the floodbank, and the softness of the ground, the troop leader’s tank became ‘bogged’. At this time the shelling in this area was intense and spandau fir extremely heavy. However, in spite of this, Cpl Pritchard climbed out of his tank to assist the troop leader to fix a tow rope. Whilst this was being done the front bogies of the troop leader’s tank were blown off and just after he had clambered back onto his tank a shell landed between the two tanks, just where he had been standing. The troop leader’s tank was safely extricated. Seeing two other tanks also bogged Cpl Pritchard proceeded to their assistance and, quite undaunted by his previous narrow escape, climbed out of his tank once again and fixed the tow ropes, successfully extricating both tanks. All this time shell and spandau fire was intense.

There is no doubt that but for the coolness and courage of this N.C.O. it is unlikely that these tanks would have been successfully extricated or their crews returned alive from the floodbanks. By his action these tanks were also able to continue their role of supporting the infantry.”