Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second War 1945 immediate ‘North West Europe - Ardennes counter offensive’ D.C.M. group of four awarded to Corporal L. B. Fitzhugh, South Wales Borderers, attached 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, for his gallantry when his section became isolated overnight, in intense cold, after engaging with 2 dug in and snow camouflaged German tanks and a 20mm gun. Despite coming under fire from his own artillery during the night, Fitzhugh managed to lead his men - most of whom were in action for the first time - out of their perilous position and back to Company lines

Distinguished Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (1534766 Cpl. L. B. Fitzhugh. S. Wales Bord.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, generally very fine (4) £2,800-£3,200

D.C.M. London Gazette 12 April 1945:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North-West Europe.

The original Recommendation states: ‘On 4 January 1945, the Battalion had been ordered to attack the Bois de Hampteau, the objective including the village of Rendeux Bas [Belgium]. Corporal Leonard Boy Fitzhugh was commanding a section, and when the leading platoon of the Company was heavily engaged with the enemy near a road block North of the village, he was ordered to take his section round the right flank. This entailed moving over completely open snow-covered ground on a forward slope. Corporal Fitzhugh led his section forward with great determination and dash, but when about halfway down the forward slope, the section came under very heavy fire from two German tanks which were dug in on a flank and camouflaged with snow. Three men of the section were hit, but Corporal Fitzhugh immediately led forward to where a slight fold in the ground offered some cover. He, himself, carried one of the wounded men to this cover and then attempted to rescue the other two. The slightest movement, however, drew heavy fire from the two tanks, a 20mm gun and riflemen.
Corporal Fitzhugh maintained this position for three hours under practically continuous enemy fire, during which time, the three wounded men died. He then decided to find a better position for his section and gave orders that he would try and find this position himself, but that if he was hit, the section was to remain where it was. He then moved forward quite alone, deliberately exposing himself to draw fire in order to determine the feasibility of the route he proposed to take. He reached a wood about 100 yards away and controlled the move of the remainder of his section, one at a time, until they had all joined him.
By this time, darkness was falling and he had lost touch with his Company, which had been ordered by the Battalion Commander to withdraw from the exposed forward slope on which it was engaged, preparatory to mounting a further attack. Corporal Fitzhugh then adopted a defensive position and decided to wait for daylight. During the night, our own guns fired two very heavy programmes (Medium and Field artillery) in support of the new attack, a great deal of this fire falling within a few yards of the section’s position. Most of Corporal Fitzhugh’s section were young soldiers in action for the first time, but by his calm and resolute leadership and exemplary personal courage, he maintained complete control throughout this dangerous and unpleasant time. At first light, as the second attack had failed to reach his position, Corporal Fitzhugh personally reconnoitred a route back to the former Company area where he reported for duty to Company Commander with the remainder of his section.
The whole action was fought in intense cold and Corporal Fitzhugh’s magnificent leadership, bravery and skill set an outstanding example of devotion to duty which inspired his Company, and indeed the whole Battalion.’

Leonard Bow Fitzhugh, a native of Liverpool, served during the Second War with the 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment as part of the 160th (South Wales) Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division in North West Europe. From December 1944 onwards the Battalion were engaged as part in the counter offensive against the German advances in the Ardennes forest.