Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second War ‘Monte Cassino’ M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal L. Goodman, Royal Corps of Signals

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (2382366 Cpl., R.Signals); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (5) £350-450

M.M. London Gazette 19 April1945.

Recommendation states ‘Cpl Goodman has been NCO i/c lines 6 AGRA Signal Section during the whole period from CASSINO to the present phase. He has consistently shown initiative and determination both in establishing quick communications during mobile operations and in building and maintaining permanent and more static layouts.

In the preparatory stages at CASSINO the normal line commitments of the AGRA were doubled. Lines all had to have alternative routings; CBO 13 Corps required a separate switchboard; lines had to be laid to AGPA to support the successful assault of the Poles on the Monastery, to CDN AGRA, to 194 US FA GP and to the six medium and heavy regiments under comd., in addition to the maintenance assistance required on arty. lines to divisions. In total 62 lines were laid into the AGRA and CB exchanges, all of which ran across roads regularly and accurately harassed through gun areas under fire from 17cm and heavy enemy artillery, and over tracks and mountain tops subjected to shelling and mortars. Finally the constant shelling proved so hazardous to communications in the M TROCCHIO and TAVERNA crossroads areas that an armoured line vehicle had to be used. But even then no protection could be provided during line faulting and repair or over the numerous cross-country routes.

But for the constant activity and untiring efforts of the section, inspired by the whole hearted example of this NCO, the full weight of medium and heavy fire power in this battle could never have been co-ordinated with the success it achieved.’