Book: Battle For Monte Natale Page 198
98 Field Regiment Royal
Artillery War Diary
25 Jan 44 – 1900
392 Battery Observation Post
received direct hit – Captain Stride evacuated with leg wounds. Bombardier
Miller also evacuated with wounds. Battery Commander instructed Lt. Fisher to
stand by as new Battery Observation Post Officer. 392 Battery: Vehicles believed
to be tanks moving North-East up to Santa Maria Infante at 1750. At 1800 four
tanks going same route.
98 Field Regiment Royal
Artillery Military Medal Citation for Gunner E. S. Darley NEW INFORMATION (8)
25 Jan 44
On 25 Jan 44 enemy medium and
field guns began heavy and accurate shelling of the battery position just South
of the River Garigliano, at which Bombardier (then Gunner) Darley was at duty.
A direct hit set one of the
ammunition dumps on fire, causing some of the charges to explode and throw
shells, portions of cartridge cases and burning fragments of containers about
the gun position. The prospect of
putting it out appeared hopeless, and a warning was given to remain under cover. Gnr Darley however, left the safety of his
Priest’s armour, ran 80 yds across the open, and began to put out the fire with
a fire extinguisher, completely regardless of enemy shells which were falling
into his troop position at the rate of 3 or 4 a minute or of the fact that the
whole ammunition dump might go up at any time.
Inspired by his example, others brought extinguishers and water, and the
fire was brought under control. His
initiative and leadership combined with quickness of thought and action and
gallant disregard for his own safety, were directly responsible for prevention of
further casualties to personnel and probably of damage to the guns in action.
27 Jan 44
On 27 Jan 44 enemy shelling was
renewed, causing a number of casualties and another fire. Once again Gnr. Darley was prominent in
helping to put out the fire and move the wounded, although more than one shell
burst within a few yards of him.
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