A fine Second World War Italy operations immediate M.M. awarded to Lance-Bombardier W. G. Wright, Royal Artillery, who, among other feats of gallantry, crawled through a minefield to mend a broken O.P. line

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1147422 L. Bmbr. W. G. Wright, R.A.), in its card box of issue, extremely fine £800-1000

M.M. London Gazette 29 June 1944. The recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.

During the battle for Cedro, Lance-Bombardier Wright was in charge of the Observation Post (O.P.) Line Maintenance Party and by his undaunted courage and cheerfulness was a source of inspiration and a fine example to his men. For the whole of the first day the positions were continuously being mortared very heavily, and the approaches shelled, with the result that the O.P. line was continually being cut. Throughout the whole day Lance-Bombardier Wright kept on with his job, going himself, in spite of the mortaring and shelling, to repair the line, with the result the O.P. was very seldom out of touch with the Regiment, and on more than one occasion the infantry used this line to pass back vital information to Brigade. During the whole period, Lance-Bombardier Wright acted in a most exemplary manner, on one occasion during daylight going out in full view of the Bosche and crawling on his stomach over a minefield to mend a break in the line.

The courage of this man under most difficult conditions is most praiseworthy and I most strongly recommend him for an immediate award.’

William George Wright. who was from Bexley Heath, was serving in 70th Field Regiment, R.A., at the time of the above cited deeds. An earlier recommendation, submitted in the Field by his C.O. on 22 January 1944, adds further detail to Wright’s gallant actions, including deeds performed at Calabitto:

‘During the Calabitto battle, as N.C.O. in charge of the Maintenance Line Party, Lance-Bombardier Wright worked like a Trojan to keep the line through, and for four days and nights never laid down or had any sleep. He was forever up and down the line and was an inspiration to the men working in his party. His one thought was whether the line was through and not once did he stop to think of his own safety, even during shelling.

During the the battle for Cedro, he was again in charge of the Line Maintenance Party and again was an inspiration to his team. He kept the line communications through the whole time in the face of enemy shelling and not once did he think of his own safety, but plodded on and did his job until completed. He was again day and night without sleep or rest - he seems never to tire. He crawled on his stomach during daylight when in view of the enemy, and always got to the break in the line, no matter what it entailed, even going over minefields.’

Sold with original Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the M.M., two wartime portrait photographs, and a pair of “In the Field” messages, one, as cited above, being a copy of his C.O’s original recommendation, and the other being notification of the award’s approval, this last dated 24 April 1944.