The Collection of Medals Formed by The Late John Cooper

An outstanding Second World War Immediate M.M. awarded to Lance-Sergeant Harold Budner, Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers), killed in action in April 1945

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (14275450 L. Sjt., Notts. Yeo.) extremely fine £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Medals Formed by The Late John Cooper.

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M.M. London Gazette 22 March 1945.

The recommendation states: ‘On Nov 22nd 1944, Cpl Budner commanded a Troop in “C” Sqn who were supporting a Bn of the 405 Regt of the 84 American Infantry Division in an attack on the village of Beeck. The Tanks led the Infantry across the open and had to pass through a smoke screen in front of an orchard on the Southern outskirts of the village which was strongly held, both by A/T Guns and Tiger Tanks. In spite of the fact that an attack on the village had failed on the previous day owing to the strong A/T defences in the orchard, Cpl Budner drove his tank straight through the smoke into the orchard where he was heavily engaged both by enemy tanks, A/T Guns and infantry, but owing to the smoke his tank was not hit.
Instead of retiring in face of such opposition Cpl Budner made for the road leading into the centre of the village, regardless of the fact that once he left the cover of the smoke he would be an easy prey for an A/T Gun. Before advancing he covered the area in front of him with fire, and then made a dash for the road, but on reaching the road his tank was knocked out by an A/T Gun which covered the approach to the village.
After his tank had been set on fire, Cpl Budner collected some infantry, who eventually arrived, and led the party with a view to knocking out the A/T Gun, but they were all pinned down by fire and had to remain concealed until after dark. Throughout the whole of this action Cpl Budner displayed greatest initiative and courage of the highest order.’

Lance-Sergeant Harold Budner was killed in action on 12 April 1945, ‘when his[Sherman] tank was hit by a bazooka. The Germans climbed on Budner’s tank to take the crew prisoner, but Corporal Lockley and Trooper McGovan engaged them with machine-gun and sten-gun fire and shot them down.’ He is buried in Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.