Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War Italy operations group of six awarded to Corporal J. H. Hughes, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for his gallantry in the crossing of the Fossa Marina in April 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1880244 Cpl. J. H. Hughes, R.E.), in its named card box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, good very fine or better (6) £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘On the night of 16-17 April 1945, Corporal Hughes was ordered with his section to construct an improvised bridge of assault boats for the 1st Battalion, Scots Guards, across the Fossa Marina, near Bando.

As this was to be an assault bridge there was no infantry cover on the far bank to shield the construction.

Heavy and accurate mortar fire was falling all round the site, but Corporal Hughes cheerfully led his section down and quickly completed this bridge in spite of an additional natural hazard of a 4 or 5 knot current. His keenness on the job was so marked that he stayed on the site all the time the infantry were passing over, and after two sections had already crossed one of the boats was holed by enemy fire. Noticing this boat would soon carry the whole bridge downstream, he immediately set out to remove it, showing great presence of mind, and quickly replaced it with another boat.

Undoubtedly the speed and determination with which he acted was instrumental in saving the bridge and allowed the rest of the attacking force successfully to cross the canal.’

John Henry Hughes was born in Liverpool in April 1919 and enlisted in October 1939. Originally trained for wireless duties, he later attended an N.C.O’s bridging course and it was in this latter capacity, as a member of 221 Field Company, R.E., that he won his M.M. during the crossing of the Fossa Marina. Placed on the Army Reserve in April 1946, he was finally discharged in May 1951.

Sold with the recipient’s original Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the M.M.; Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; Soldier’s Release Book, Class ‘A’; forwarding letter for M.M. riband from Lieutenant-General J. Harding, H.Q., 13 Corps, dated 23 June 1945, and a portrait photograph.