Richard H. Burton
"In
Italy on 8th October, 1944, two Companies of the
Duke of Wellington's Regiment moved forward to take a strongly held feature 760
metres high. The capture of this feature was vital at this stage of the
operation as it dominated all the ground on the main axis of advance. The assaulting troops made good progress to within twenty yards of
the crest when they came under withering fire from Spandaus on the
crest. The leading platoon was held up and the Platoon Commander was
wounded. The Company Commander took another platoon, of which Private
Burton was runner, through to assault the crest from which four Spandaus
at least were firing. Private Burton rushed forward and, engaging the
first Spandau position with his Tommy gun,
killed the crew of three. When the assault was again held up by
murderous fire from two more machine guns Private Burton, again showing
complete disregard for his own safety, dashed forward toward the first
machine gun using his Tommy gun until his ammunition was exhausted. He
then picked up a Bren gun and firing from the hip succeeded in killing
or wounding the crews of the two machine guns. Thanks to his outstanding
courage the Company was then able to consolidate on the forward slope
of the feature. The enemy immediately counter-attacked fiercely but Private Burton,
in spite of most of his comrades being either dead or wounded, once
again dashed forward on his own initiative and directed such accurate
fire with his Bren gun on the enemy that they retired leaving the
feature firmly in our hands.
The enemy later counter-attacked again on the adjoining platoon
position and Private Burton, who had placed himself on the flank,
brought such accurate fire to bear that this counterattack also failed
to dislodge the Company from its position. Private Burton's magnificent
gallantry and total disregard of his own safety during many hours of
fierce fighting in mud and continuous rain were an inspiration to all
his comrades."
From
Pvt. Burton's
Victoria Cross citation, awarded on January 2, 1945.
Thank you for your service and may you be at peace,
Brian
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