The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery

A Second War ‘Anzio’ Immediate M.C. group of six awarded to Captain R. Holley, 2nd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery

Military Cross, G.VI.R. reverse officially dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, 1st Army; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, together with named Buckingham Palace enclosure for M.C. ‘Captain R. Holley, M.C., Royal Regiment of Artillery’, very fine (6) £700-£900

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Simon C. Marriage Collection of Medals to the Artillery.

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M.C. London Gazette 26 October 1944.

The recommendation for the grant of an Immediate M.C. states:

‘Lieutenant (temporary Captain) Ronald Holley, Royal Regiment of Artillery (Wolverhampton).
This troop commander has throughout the ANZIO fighting displayed an attitude of calculated courage and undramatic dash that is exceptional. He does not take unnecessary risks at an OP, but if he thinks he can benefit his infantry he stops short at nothing and behaves with complete disregard for his own safety.
After the retreat from the Factory area in February he did several tours of duty in OPs near PANTONI both with 3 Infantry Brigade and the Commandos. Morale was heavily tested, weather conditions were atrocious and the enemy was very aggressive. By carrying all his equipment across flooded streams he was able to establish two OPs on the exposed lips of wadis both of which he personally occupied until they were knocked out by mortars.
Prior to operation ‘ANT’ (22 May 44) which was the opening phase of the break-out from the bridge-head it was necessary to reconnoitre two forward OPs. Capt Holley was not satisfied with the scanty view and disregarding the local infantry’s warnings of snipers within 300 yards repeatedly exposed himself in daylight on the top of the road the better to judge what zone would be viewed were a tunnel to be driven through the embankment at that point. He occupied that OP during operation ‘ANT’ unperturbed by the explosion of a dump of mortar bombs close by which sent flame through the tunnel, burning some of his equipment and scorching all the occupants.
During the advance of 18 Infantry Brigade to the TIBER on June 4th enemy resistance was met south of VALLERENEILO. Capt Holley immediately worked his way forward on foot entering the village ahead of all the infantry, and was able to report by wireless the existence of several MGs and the subsequent flight of the enemy. From there he went on to the TIBER, disregarding various parties of the enemy, in an attempt to prevent the destruction of the bridge at 6857. Although arriving simultaneously with elements of the Recce Regt he was too late to prevent it being blown, but immediately sent back a detailed report of the extent of the damage which was of great help in deciding where a crossing might be affected.
His complete disregard of personal risk whenever it threatens to reduce the efficiency of his OP is both admirable and characteristic of his work during the last four months fighting.’