Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Italy campaign’ immediate M.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant S. P. Austin, Royal Natal Carabineers, who wiped out an S.S.-manned machine-gun post with his Tommy gun during the assault and capture of Monte Vigese, 6 October 1944

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (597V Sgt. S. P. Austin. 1. R.N.C.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa Service Medal, campaign awards all officially impressed ‘597 S. P. Austin’, mounted for display, cleaned, generally good very fine (7) £700-£900

M.M. London Gazette 8 March 1945.

The original recommendations states: ‘On Friday morning, 6 October 1944, Sergeant Austin’s platoon was ordered to attack and occupy part of the precipitous Monte Vigese, known to be occupied by S.S. troops. It was pouring with rain and visibility very limited.

Shortly before reaching the objective, this N.C.O. discovered a well-concealed German M.G. post. He immediately engaged the post at close range with his Tommy gun, killing one of the crew. The other two emerged from the position and attempted to fire on Sergeant Austin’s platoon. Sergeant Austin, after demanding their surrender, closed in single-handed and cleaned up the post and enabled his platoon to move on to its final objective, without suffering any casualties.

His courage and leadership inspired his whole platoon.’

Stanley Philip Austin was serving in the 1st Battalion, Royal Natal Carbineers, 11th South African Armoured Brigade, a component of the 6th South African Division, attached to IV U.S. Corps, at the time of the above cited deeds.