Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding Second World War Posthumous D.C.M. group of five awarded to Lance Sergeant Henry Sye, 2nd Battalion, London Irish Rifles, for gallantry in a night attack on Hill 387, north of Monte Pieve, when, having single-handedly attacked one machine-gun post and killed or wounded all of its occupants, he tried twice more to reach another enemy machine-gun but was severely wounded in the attempt; when found later by a patrol he had been lying wounded for more than 36 hours and died the next day

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (7020431 L. Sjt. H. Sye. Lond. Ir Rif.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; War Medal, mounted for display, the first with edge bruise and a little polished, generally very fine (5) £3000-3600

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945: ‘Lance-Sergeant Henry Sye, Infantry (Belfast) (Since died of wounds).’

The original recommendation for an Immediate award states:

‘7020431 Lance-Sergeant Henry Sye, 2nd Bn. London Irish Rifles, (Belfast) (Since died of wounds)

Fontanelice 032255 Italy 1/25,000 Sheet 99 IV/NW.

On 21st October 1944 on the occasion of ‘H’ Coy’s night attack on Hill 387 N of Monte Pieve the above named N.C.O. was at outset Platoon Sgt. Early in the attack his platoon which was leading the Coy. came under very intensive small arms fire and heavy shelling. Considerable casualties were caused and the Platoon Comd. was killed. L/Sgt. Sye immediately rallied the few remaining men of his platoon and continued to press up the steep slopes towards the objective. All the time he was facing heavy M.G. fire and grenades at short range, but despite this he pressed on with total disregard for his personal safety.

By crawling forward he attacked single handed one M.G. post and successfully killed or wounded all of its occupants.

Not content with this feat, he tried twice more to reach another enemy M.G. but was severely wounded in the attempt.

Throughout this attack, as on many previous occasions L/Sgt. Sye behaved with great personal courage and displayed the highest quality of leadership.’

A regimental account adds: ‘On the morning after the successful operations, ‘G’ Company took over Point 387 from a company of Inniskillings and found Sergeant Sye, who had been lying wounded for more than thirty-six hours. He had refused the aid of stretcher-bearers, but finally had been unable to make his own way back. He died of wounds the next day.’