Auction Catalogue
Create new listA Second World War Italy operations immediate M.M. group of six awarded to Corporal J. H. Hughes, Royal Engineers
Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1880244 Cpl. J. H. Hughes, R.E.), the edge additionally impressed ‘(R.)’ for replacement; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, 8th Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, generally good very fine or better (6) £300-400
M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1945. The original recommendation for an immediate award 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 Pando. 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 four or five knot current. His keenness on the job was so marked that he stayed on the site all the time the infantry was passing over, and after two sections had already crossed one of the boats was holed by enemy fire. Noticing that 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 serving in 221 Field Company, R.E., at the time of the above deeds, a component of 56 (London) Division, 5 Corps.
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