Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of seven awarded to Bombardier R. R. Tobutt, Royal Artillery, who was decorated for sustained gallantry in the Anzio beachhead in February 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (864285 Bmbr. R. R. Tobutt, R.A.), in its original named card box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue, Territorial (864285 Gnr. R. R. Tobutt, M.M., R.A.), in its original named card box of issue, this last with minor official correction, generally extremely fine (7)
£1000-1200

M.M. London Gazette 19 April 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘Bombardier Tobutt has been continuously employed as an O.P.A. since 10 July 1943.

On 2 February 1944, near Campoleone in the Anzio Beachhead, he was in an Observation Post (O.P.) which had been established under cover of darkness about 400 yards outside the right forward company of the 1st Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Shortly before the O.P. was withdrawn at about 2000 hours, the three telephone lines from Company H.Q. to the O.P. were all cut by heavy shell fire. After the O.P. party had returned to Battalion H.Q., Bombardier Tobutt was sent out with another man to repair the lines for the relieving O.P. At 2200 hours the enemy started a counter-attack which eventually cut off the 3rd Infantry Brigade salient. The counter-attack started with a heavy concentration of mortars, shellfire and Nebelwerfer fire on the area where Bombardier Tobutt and the other man were working. The second man returned to cover almost at once, but Bombardier Tobutt remained out, continuing his work for more than an hour and a half, during exceptionally heavy shell fire. By this time, the enemy counter-attack had started and he was actually forward of our own FDLs. He only gave up the attempt when the O.P. fell into enemy hands.

On 8 February 1944, Bombardier Tobutt was in an O.P. supporting the 2nd Battalion, Foresters, in an attack on the Buon Riposo Bridge. The tank was left at Battalion H.Q. and the O.P. was established in a house 250 yards away.

The area was shelled and mortared all the afternoon, and a sniper commanded the whole area which was completely under enemy observation. Seven times during the afternoon, the telephone line was cut, and each time Bombardier Tobutt walked the length of the line and repaired it. On four of these occasions, the area was being shelled and mortared. It was only due to Bombardier Tobutt’s courage and devotion to duty that the line was maintained and the constant artillery support could be given to the infantry.

During the whole period, Bombardier Tobutt’s devotion to duty and disregard of his own personal safety have been an example and inspiration to all ranks.’

Richard Ronald Tobutt was serving in the 24th Field Regiment, R.A., at the time of the above cited deeds, the action in the evening of the 2 February 1944 being the commencement of the German 14th Army’s attempt to push the British 1st Division back to the sea – a ferocious onslaught headed by such elite units as the Herman Goring Panzer Division and 4th Parachute Division and one that caused some 1400 British casualties in 24 hours. Among the battalions hardest hit in this period were the 1/King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and 2/Foresters, both of which Tobutt’s O.P. supported.