The Jim Henshaw Collection of Medals to the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers

A Second War ‘North West Europe’ Immediate M.M. group of five awarded to Lance-Sergeant J. Derench, 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (3976191 L. Sjt.J. Derench. R.W. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted on card for display, extremely fine (5) £1,000-£1,400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Jim Henshaw Collection of Medals to the 23rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

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M.M. London Gazette 2 August 1945. The recommendation for an Immediate M.M. states:

‘On the 21st April 1945, “C” Company, 6th Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers, were ordered to attack and capture the village of Harbour, East of Soltau, to open up the main road. Two platoons with a troop of tanks were ordered to attack on the left and one platoon with a troop of tanks was ordered to attack from the right and to get into the village and sit on the main road as a stop.
L/Sgt. Derench was Platoon Sergeant of this right hand platoon.
The platoon had to cross two hundred yards of fairly open ground to reach its objective and from the outset ran into heavt mortar and machine-gun fire. The Platoon Commander and Platoon Sergeant, ignoring the enemy fire, kept moving amongst the men urging them forward. When one hundred yards from their objective an anti-tank gun opened up on the leading tank. The Platoon was immediately organised for an attack on this gun and succeeded in knocking it out. During this action the Platoon Commander was killed and several Fusiliers killed and wounded. L/Sgt. Derench took command of the platoon and, showing complete disregard for his own safety, led the remainder of the platoon forward moving from section to section until they reached their objective and killed or took prisoner all the enemy in their end of the village. L/Sgt. Derench there re-organised his platoon and assisted the remainder of the Company in securing their objective.
Throughout the action this N.C.O. displayed courage of the highest order and by his coolness and presence of mind did much to enable his Company to gain their objective without unduly heavy casualties.’