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NX27854 - HUNTLEY, Neilson
Leonard Stenhouse, Cpl.
Military Medal (MM)
"After Cpl. Huntley's Company ("B" Company in the
ambush at Gemencheh Bridge) had commenced to withdraw from its
forward position at GEMAS this junior NCO was in command of the
rear platoon.
A large enemy party followed this Company and
Cpl. Huntley organised his platoon into a rearguard. In this
minor operation he displayed exceptional courage and leadership.
His Company Command reporting the incident states
:‑
"This man organised his platoon as the rearguard
and by his coolness and courage was mainly responsible for the
successful extraction of the Company from the enemy who were in
very close contact and heavily outnumbering our party. Although
in a position of great danger he held his men together (his
platoon consisting of two sections) and successfully completed
the task after losing 6 men killed and 4 wounded."
After completing his self imposed rearguard
duties, Cpl. Huntley successfully withdrew the remainder of his
men to the Bn base area. Throughout, this NCO showed great
bravery and courage, which I am of opinion merits the award of
the Military Medal, and I so recommend."
(Source: originally transcribed from the
Diary of Brigadier D.S. Maxwell by The Army Museum Sydney
Foundation in 1998.)
Epilogue
The
recommendation to award the Military Medal was never recognised.
Cpl. Huntley was awarded a Mentioned in Despatches, which
was published in the London Gazette
on 1 August 1946.
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Last updated
04/06/2024 |