MILITARY MEDAL
(Immediate)
'6th Bn KINGS OWN SCOTTISH BORDERERS'
(WW2)
General Service Medal "PALESTINE"(1936-39)
1st Royal Irish Fusilliers.
1939-45 Star, Burma Star, France & Germany Star, Defence Medal, War Medal,
Group of Seven.
A very emotive World War II Military Medal & GSM group of seven
(6th Bn, KOSB, 15th Scottish Division)
TO.
6978089. A/SJT. C.J. O'NEAL. K.O.S.B.(M.M.)
and
6978089 FSR. C.J. O'NEAL. R.IR.FUS.(G.S.M.)
London Gazette: 2nd August 1945 (Page 3956) Charles John O'Neal (Londonderry)
CITATION
On 16 April 45,"D" Coy 6 KOSB were ordered to capture the defended village of HAMBROOK and No.17 Platoon, commanded by Sjt O'NEAL, were given the task of making the initial assault and of securing a foothold in the village.
This necessitated crossing some FOUR HUNDRED YARDS of open country in front of the enemy positions under cover of smoke.
Despite extremely heavy fire from 20mm flak and machine guns, Sjt O'NEAL led his platoon into the village with great dash.
He now appreciated that the enemy were demoralised and, of his own initiative, decided to push on from his original objectives.
Despite strong enemy opposition he then proceeded to clear the entire village, with the exception of one strongly defended house, taking eight 20mm guns and more than 50 Prisoners of War with his one platoon.
During this action Sjt O'NEAL was in the lead and his cheerful determination and complete disregard for his own personal safety were at all times a source of inspiration to his men. By his splendid offensive spirit and fine personal gallantry, this NCO undoubtedly made an outstanding contribution to the success of subseqent operations by the rapid clearance of the village of HAMBROOK and, in addition, saved his own company many casualties.
(A copy of the original citation is shown above and is 'Hand Signed' on the original document by Field Marshal Bernard L.Montgomery )
Notes: 6th Batt, K.O.S.B. landed in France on 15 June 1944 and fought fierce battles at CAEN and on the RIVER ODON. Advancing while fighting through France, Belgium and Holland and across the Seigfried Line. They advanced across the River Rhine into Germany and when the war ended they had reached a position just past Hamburg.
Light contact marking to the unit area of naming on GSM from 39 star, but still 100% visible, and a tiny official correction to "T" in SjT on the MM.
A SUPERB M.M. TO A HIGHLY COLLECTABLE SCOTTISH UNIT WITH A MAGNIFICENT "FIGHTING" CITATION FROM THE FINAL DAYS OF WORLD WAR II .
Co:c:ay:y
sold