"In Italy, a battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment was ordered to attack high ground held by the enemy. The leading Company had taken their first objective but were
unable to reach their final objective, owing to heavy enemy fire and
casualties. The Carrier Platoon, dismounted, were ordered to capture the
final objective, supported by fire from the Company and a troop of
tanks. The objective was wired and mined and strongly defended by the
enemy. The Carrier Platoon advanced through machine-gun and mortar fire
until they reached the enemy's wire, which was 70 yards from their
objective. At this point the Platoon was under the intense fire of seven
machine-guns firing at ranges of from 50 to 100 yards, and sustained a
number of casualties. The Platoon, checked by the enemy's wire and the
intensity of his machine-gun fire, took cover and returned the fire
preparatory to gapping the wire. Sergeant Rogers, the Platoon Sergeant,
without hesitation continued to advance alone, firing his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun. He got through the enemy's wire, ran across the minefield and destroyed
two of the enemy machine-gun posts with his Thompson Sub-Machine Gun
and hand grenades. By now, Sergeant Rogers was 100 yards ahead of his
Platoon and had penetrated 30 yards inside the enemy's defenses. He had drawn on to himself the fire of nearly all the enemy's machine-guns and had thrown their, defense into confusion. Inspired by the example of Sergeant Rogers, the Platoon breached
the enemy's wire and began the assault. Still alone and penetrating
deeper into the enemy position, Sergeant Rogers, whilst attempting to
silence a third machine-gun post, was blown off his feet by a grenade
which burst beside him and wounded him in the leg. Nothing daunted he stood up and still firing his Thompson
Sub-Machine Gun, ran on towards the enemy post. He was shot and killed
at point blank range. This N.C.O's undaunted determination, fearless devotion to duty and
superb courage carried his Platoon on to their objective in face of a
determined enemy in a strongly defended position. The great gallantry
and heroic self-sacrifice of Sergeant Rogers were in the highest
tradition of the British Army."
From Sgt. Rogers' Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 8 August 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian & Mel
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