Orders, Decorations and Medals

A North West Europe Immediate M.M. group of seven awarded to Company Sergeant Major William Pass, 5/7th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (4910601 A.W.O.Cl.1. W. Pass, Gordons); General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp Palestine (4910601 Cpl., S.Staff. R.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals; Regular Army L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (4910601 W.O.Cl.2., Gordons) together with Buckingham Palace letter of congratulations, contact marks, otherwise very fine (7)

M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1945.

‘From 14th to 16th April 1945 the Battalion were holding WILDESHAUSEN and ‘A’ Coy were ordered to attack at night north from Wildeshausen and capture a road junction then push on again to form a bridgehead over a crater in the road which the R.Es had to fill in before daylight.

‘A’ Company found further progress met by direct and heavy machine gun fire from well dug-in positions but they fought on all night in a series of small platoon advances. CSM Pass in addition to doing his own work had also to perform the duties of Company Second in Command at Coy HQ. The stiff fighting involved a heavy ammunition expenditure, but CSM Pass went round the platoons all night keeping them supplied. With complete disregard to his own personal safety time and time again CSM Pass moved from one platoon to another exposing himself to the intense and accurate enemy fire. The Company was short of Officers and NCOs and CSM Pass was a tower of strength giving encouragement to the men where the fighting was hottest, he set his men a very fine example of coolness and bravery under heavy enemy fire.

Twice during the night he had to lead personally a party back across the crater to bring up fresh ammunition. This vital point was now being accurately shelled by the enemy and it was only by CSM Pass’ superb example and leadership that these parties got safely through. On one of these expeditions back he, single handed, accounted for a Spandau team that had worked its way round the rear of the Company area and was beginning to dominate the crater crossing. CSM Pass never spared himself and worked on all night. His devotion to duty was a source of inspiration to all those around him. They fought on and next morning with tank support liquidated the enemy position and opened up this vital road.’