Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War North Africa operations M.C. group of six awarded to Temporary Captain A. A. Townsend, Lancashire Fusiliers, who was decorated for his gallantry in the action at Medjez Al Bab in November 1942 - he was subsequently killed in action

Military Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1943’; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, Regular Army (3436177 C. Sjt. A. Townsend, Lan. Fus.), good very fine or better (6) £1200-1500

M.C. London Gazette 23 September 1943. The recommendation states:

‘At Medjez El Bab on 25 November 1942, this officer showed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy. When his own and ‘C’ Company were pinned down to the river banks by withering machine-gun fire, he crawled forward and got his light machine-gun into a position from which he could return the enemy’s fire. Although observed by the enemy, he continued to work his gun in an effort to help extricate ‘C’ Company. Later in the day, whilst ‘D’ Company was covering the withdrawal of the main part of the Battalion, he remained until the last possible moment with a few men, giving covering fire until his company was safely across. His own withdrawal was effected across an open plain under enemy fire.’

Albert Anthony Townsend, a pre-war regular soldier in the Lancashire Fusiliers who was commissioned from the ranks, was serving as a Temporary Captain in the 2nd Battalion at the time of the above cited deeds at Medjez El Bab in November 1942, an action described in the regimental history:

‘Medjez El Bab means 'gateway', and the little town of this name, lying on both sides of the broad and muddy River Medjerda, is, in fact, the gateway to Tunis from the west. The Germans, appreciating its significance, held the right bank of the river with three parachute battalions backed by supporting arms. It was here that the 2nd Battalion fought their first fight when, in company with the Northamptons, they tried to seize the bridge. It was a tough introduction to battle. Their approach to Medjez-el-Bab was slowed down by flanking machine gun fire; the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel L.A. Manly, was killed as he went forward to reconnoitre, and Major Linden Kelly took command.

It was already daylight when ‘A’ and ‘B’ Companies crossed the swirling yellow waters of the river, holding their rifles high above their heads. They were immediately assailed by mortar, machine gun and artillery fire, which prevented them from leaving the river banks. Four times they tried to press home their attack on the east bank, and four times they were beaten back; one platoon was almost entirely wiped out in the river bed. Now ‘C’ and ‘D’ Companies tried another direction, but they too were subjected to heavy artillery fire, and Major Kelly decided to withdraw to the west bank to reorganise. This might have been a costly operation also, but for a concentration of supporting artillery fire that silenced the German guns. ‘C’ Company extricated itself without difficulty, but ‘D’ Company was almost caught by a German counter-attack with tanks that had already driven back the Northamptons. Shortly after this, the enemy blew up the bridge; mortifying as this was, it was an indication that the Germans had had enough, and were concerned to cover their retreat. When the East Surreys attacked next day, they found Medjez-el-Bab abandoned. The determination of the two attacking battalions had evidently made an impression. The cost was not light: as well as the Commanding Officer, the Battalion had 36 of all ranks killed, 47 wounded and 60 missing. Captain A. A. Townsend and Captain Barker-Benfield were both awarded M.Cs.’

Tragically, however, before the announcement of his M.C. had been announced in the London Gazette, Townsend was killed on action on 26 February 1943, aged 41 years. The husband of Mary Agnes Townsend of Rochdale, Lancashire, he was buried in the Medjez El Bab War Cemetery.