A Collection of Medals to the York & Lancaster Regiment

An Anzio M.M. group of eight awarded to Acting Corporal R.B. Ball, 1st Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (6896858 A. Cpl., Y. & L.R.); 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR, clasp, 8th Army; ITALY STAR; FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS; EFFICIENCY MEDAL, bar, Territorial (Cpl., M.M., Y & L.), nearly extremely fine (8)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to the York & Lancaster Regiment.

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M.M., London Gazette, 20th July, 1944; 'For gallant and distinguished service in Italy.' The following citation was extracted from an official source: ‘On March 25th 1944, on the ANZIO beachhead, B. Coy. of the 1st Bn. The York & Lancaster Regt. was holding a defensive position in the Wadi COGNA at about 842298, where it was in close contact with the German positions and had already suffered considerable casualties from shelling and mortar bombs. At about 1400 hrs. the coy area was again heavily shelled and during the bombardment one shell, landing in the middle of an L shaped trench of A/Cpl. Ball's section buried the two occupants. A/Cpl. Ball saw this occur, and despite the fact that many shells were still landing around him, and regardless of the extreme danger that he incurred, he jumped out of his trench, ordered two men of his section to follow him and dug the two buried men out of this trench. During all this time the shelling was continuous. There is little doubt that these men would have lost their lives but for Cpl. Ball's prompt action and complete disregard for his own personal safety. His leadership and bravery on this, as on all previous occasions when he has been under fire was an inspiration to all ranks of his company.’