大象传媒

My father L/sgt Marjoram served with the Essex regiment during world war 2 from 1940 , serving with the desert rats in Egypt North Africa and onto Italy where at Monte Cassino he lost his life, during an attack at DJEBEL GARCI on the 19th April 1943. My father with number 10 platoon successfully secured the high ridge with fierce hand to hand fighting taking a number of prisoners. Before the Platoon Commander had time to reorganise their position the enemy countered-attacked and owing to the fall of the ground the men had to fight standing. My Father L/Sgt Marjoram immediately placed himself in front of his section , causing casualties to the enemy with his T.S.M.G. and shouting orders and encouragement to his section at the same time. This prompt and courageous action was a great inspiration to his men and the enemy were once again repulsed with heavy losses. Almost at once the enemy again attacked in much greater strength, the No 1 Bren-gunner of his section was killed. My father picked up the automatic, stood on the crest in full view of the attacking enemy, completely oblivious to the heavy machine-gun fire and grenades which were exploding all around him and continued firing the Bren from his shoulder until his ammunition was exhausted inflicting great damage. He then ordered his Section to cover him while he ran forward twenty yards to an enemy sangar from which he returned with an armful of German grenades. He distributed these to his section enabling them to cause further heavy casualties to the enemy. My father was wounded but remained with his men and later when the position had to be evacuated owing to sheer weight of numbers, together with lack of ammunition he organised the withdrawal so skilfully that further casualties were avoided and all his wounded were safely evacuated . My father was awarded the Military Medal for his personal leadership and courage beyond praise and inspiration to his men. He was killed in March 1944 at Monte Cassino aged 32years. His Widow and one of his twin daughters received his Medal from King George V1 at Buckingham Palace.

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