Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An ‘Italian theatre’ M.M. group of five awarded to Corporal Andrew Soles, 5th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment for delivering messages under fire - ‘on one occasion a grenade burst almost at his feet but this in no way affected his will to carry on and he delivered promptly the message entrusted to him’

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (909969 Cpl., Hamps. R.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the M.M. with neatly re-pinned suspension, edge bruising and contact wear, otherwise about nearly very fine (5)
£800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the Hampshire Regiment.

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M.M. London Gazette 13 December 1945.

The following is extracted from the original recommendation:

‘On 4th September 1944, at Catselleale (886854), the company, in which Pte Soles was serving as a mortar man, was engaged in a heavy advanced guard action. On three separate occasions, when other means of communication had broken down, Pte Soles volunteered to carry back messages to Coy HQ over a route which was subjected to constant sniping and continuous and accurate shell and mortar fire. On each occasion Pte Soles delivered his message and at once undertook the hazardous return journey carrying further orders. By unhesitatingly risking his life to carry out this mission Pte Soles enabled control to be retained and contributed immeasurably to his company’s success in the action.

On 16th September the coy to which Pte Soles belonged was committed to an attack on the village of Montescudo where the enemy was putting up a savage resistance. Again Pte Soles was indefatigable in carrying messages under the heaviest of fire, often at practically point blank range. On one occasion a grenade burst almost at his feet but this in no way affected his will to carry on and he delivered promptly the message entrusted to him.

After this action Pte Soles was promoted and the actions at San Lorenzo, San Martino in Strada and the crossing of the rivers Lamone and Monone he displayed the same gallantry and proved himself to be an outstanding leader, invariably accomplishing the task which was allotted to his section no matter how tenacious the opposition. Cpl Soles’s gallantry, determination and high standard of leadership could not fail to be an inspiration to all with whom he came in contact.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 29 November 1945.