Orders, Decorations and Medals

An Italian theatre M.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant C. Windle, Royal Artillery

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (1094508 Sjt., R.A.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, contact marks, therefore nearly very fine (5)

M.M. London Gazette 18 October 1945. The following recommendation was extracted from official records: ‘On the 24 April 1945, during the attack on Ferrara the 1st Jaipurs, who were attacking a factory area, were held up by an enemy tank firing from behind a house across the intervening Canale Burana river. Our tanks supporting this battalion were unable to cross the river which was very exposed and the task of neutralising the enemy tank was given to the Self Propelled 3” M10 of which Sgt Windle was No 1. In spite of the extremely exposed nature of the ground this Sgt manoeuvred his S.P. up to the bank of the river in full view of the house behind which the enemy tank was still firing. After firing three rounds through the house the infantry reported the tank silenced (subsequently confirmed destroyed).

In the meantime a Sherman bulldozer had attempted to make a crossing over a partially demolished bridge where it was joined by an ordinary bulldozer. These were engaged by other enemy tanks with H.E. and A.P. and forced to withdraw. A “Wasp” then attempted the crossing but stuck half way holding up all possible work on the bridge. Sgt Windle brought his S.P. to the bridge and, without thought for his personal safety or the danger of that exposed position, supervised the removal of the “Wasp”. By now our supporting tanks had been ordered to cross and, largely as a result of Sgt Windle’s work, were able to negotiate the bridge while his S.P. covered them. There is no doubt that Sgt Windle displayed throughout a very high sense of duty and this, coupled with his coolness and fine example, were of considerable material assistance to the opeartion.’