Home World War Two Stories from the War Soldier – Garner, Walter – Awarded Military Medal

Soldier – Garner, Walter – Awarded Military Medal

August 1944

South Yorkshire Times, August 26th 1944

Awarded Military Medal

Gnr. Walter Garner (25) has written home to his mother, Mrs. E. Longham of 53, Walker Street, Swinton, with the news that he has been awarded the Military Medal while serving with the Central Mediterranean Forces.

In his own words he tells of the action which gained him the award. “It happened in the last push out there.  We were all pinned down by shell and machine gun fire, and three men were well out in front drawing water from a well.  All three of them were hit badly. I saw them fall, so I crawled out to the place where they were lying and brought them back, one bleeding.  I brought them back, one by one, and managed to get them all back safely and dress their wounds. I did not think I was doing anything brave at the time, as I thought it was my duty to save their lives; anyone would have done the same.”

Gnr. Garner had to go before the officers of the place where he is stationed.  He says he was very proud when they shook him by the hand and said he deserved his decoration.

”I shall be prouder still when I go to Buckingham Palace to have it pinned on my chest,” he goes on. He was 25 on August 6th, 1944, the day before he wrote the letter.