24th April 1944.

Cassino Railway Station Royal West Kents.

At that time, it would appear, that the 5th Battalion D Coy were holding positions around Cassino Railway Station. They were the only company in close contact with the enemy. Another company was one mile further back and the remainder of the battalion further back still. The railway embankment was covered by the fixed lines of fire by the enemy. Because of this, rations were only taken every third night by tanks. The rations were placed in sandbags – one bag for each two-man weapon pit and the sandbags were slung round tanks which drove along the embankment and around the station positions dropping them off as required.

Except for spasmodic shelling and mortaring by the enemy, usually in the afternoons and evenings, the situation was quiet and there were no casualties for eight days. Then on April 24, a post of D Company (which was at the Station ) was hit by a shell seven men were killed and fourteen wounded. The evacuation of casualties was organised by the CSM, who went to the post under fire and arranged a dressing station there. Within the hour, all of the wounded had been carried back under the Red CrossFlag. For that action, the CSM was awarded the Military Medal.

Some three weeks later, the 5th Battalion were called out from their rest period to support the Poles who were meeting strong enemy resistance in the area of Piedimonte to the west of Cassino. Because of a lack of an interpreter there was no proper liaison between the Poles and the battalion. The operation however, began at 12,30 p.m. The advance was across open corn fields swept by enemy machine gun fire from the hillside to the right, The companies went forward by platoons in short controlled rushes. Major Wollaston and Lieutenant Sainsbury of D Coy were both wounded. The Coy attack continued under the command of the CSM after the remaining Lieutenants deferred to his battle experience. Casualties were numerous. Nevertheless, the battalion swept the objective, capturing thirty one prisoners. For his part in the action, the CSM was awarded an immediate Battle Field Commission!

That was my father. He was my hero! An unassuming man who spoke little of his wartime experiences but was loved by his subordinates.

He died in 1990 of lung cancer. It all happened so very quickly. True to the man he was, rather than accept the drugs, he disconnected his drip, stuffed it in his pocket, called his brother-in-law went home to be with his wife, my mother.