Orders, Decorations and Medals

An immediate M.M. group of seven for Italy awarded to Lance Sergeant R.R.Stock, Royal Artillery

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (882641 L. Sgt., R.A.); 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR, clasp, 8th Army; ITALY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS; EFFICIENCY MEDAL, Territorial, G.VI.R. (Bdr., R.A.) contact marks, nearly very fine (7)

M.M., London Gazette, 26 April, 1945. The following recommendation was extracted from the Public Record Office: 'On 8, 9 and 10 Oct. an OP was established at Strigara in support of 4 Bn. The Baluch Regt. L/Sgt. Stock was Signal NCO in charge of the line maintenance party of this OP. Throughout the three days and nights, the enemy brought down heavy and accurate shell fire on the village and on the ridge immediately behind it, to a depth of about 600 yds. A direct route up this very steep ridge was the only way the line could be taken, and it was cut at frequent intervals throughout the period. Every time, by day and by night, L/Sgt Stock went out himself to mend the break or to supervise its mending. Every time he succeeded, and went up to the OP personally to cheer them up and to inform them that the line was through again. On no less than nine occasions he came under shell fire while he was at work and completed the repairs lying in the mud with the shells bursting round him. It was due to L/Sgt Stock's efforts that the OP was able to bring down quick and heavy fire and to break up the counterattacks which the enemy tried to launch. He showed a complete disregard for personal danger and fatigue, and his fine example was an inspiration to the whole of his party and of his Bty.'

On 8 October the 4th Bn. The Baluch Regt. was holding the Strigara position with three companies forward along the Monte Codruzzo Ridge, when the enemy were seen to be forming up in considerable strength on the left flank. The Mountain Regt. OP was asked for assistance and almost immediately fire was brought down, breaking up the threatened counter attack. Later in the day a fighting patrol was sent out to the left flank to see whether the enemy had dispersed. It became heavily involved and was only saved from almost complete annihilation by the very rapid response to the call for assistance made to the Mountain Regt. OP. The assistance given by the guns in both cases was only possible because the line through to the guns had been maintained in spite of heavy shelling.