Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War 1944 ‘Italy campaign’ M.M. group of seven awarded to Gunner J. Young, 5th Canadian Medium Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, for his gallantry as a Signaller with an Observation Post Party that made a sea-borne landing behind enemy lines at the Adriatic coastal town of Cesenatico, 22/23 September 1944. After making contact with local partisans, the party set up an Observation Post - often sharing the same house with passing German troops!

Young stayed behind enemy lines for a week, calling down several successful artillery shoots and eventually swimming back to Allied lines

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (D.9068 Gnr. J. Young. R.C.A.) number partially officially corrected; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, with photographic image of recipient in uniform, generally good very fine (7) £1,400-£1,800

M.M. London Gazette 5 July 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘On the night 21/22 September 1944, D.9068 Gunner Jim Young was a signaller with an Observation Post Party which made a sea-borne landing behind enemy lines near Cesenatico. On landing it was found necessary for the party to pass through a deploying enemy battery in an effort to contact an Italian partisan headquarters. Despite the burden of several days supplies and a wireless set, contact was made the night of 22/23 September 1944. An Observation Post was established and Gunner Young set up communications which he maintained without a break for a week. Despite the frequent presence of German soldiers in the same house which necessitated extreme care, he passed back much information and was instrumental in the completion of several successful shoots. The party returned early on the morning of 1 October 1944. An attempt was made to pass the front lines by wading and swimming in the sea. On coming ashore the party found itself in the front lines and was fired upon. Gunner Young, a powerful swimmer, had been swimming farther out to sea than the rest and, seeing the other members of the party wounded, swam farther behind the lines, landed and informed Allied troops of the situation. His action ensured speedy recognition and medical care for the remainder of the party.

Throughout the episode Gunner Young’s resourcefulness and tireless efforts were of the greatest assistance to the party and permitted the passing of much extremely valuable information as well as the inflicting of many casualties on the enemy.’

M.I.D. Canada Gazette 26 May 1945.