| 1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 1944-45 - Awards and Citations |
WS/Sergeant George Harold OAKLEY (5257811) George Oakley was recommended by Lieut.-Col. A. W. N. L. Vickers on the 2nd December 1944 for an immediate Military Medal. Military Medal (London Gazette date 22nd March 1945) Citation: “In the action fought by this unit in the area of RISCHDEN on 18th November 1944, this NCO showed undaunted courage in the face of bitter fighting. On the 19th November 1944 whilst his Platoon Commander was forward carrying out a recce, the Platoon was shelled and suffered 21 casualties including nine killed. Sergeant OAKLEY was blown out of his Carrier by a near miss, but he took control of those who remained and therefore saved the lives of many of the wounded. By the rapid way in which he reorganised the Platoon he made it possible to carry out the vital role of protecting the left flank of the Battalion North of RISCHDEN. Two days later on 21st November 1944 in the same action, although sick with peritonitis of the bowel, he carried on deliberately without reporting to the Medical Officer in order that he might stay in the line. Twice his weapon pit was filled in as shells landed on the ground immediately surrounding him. Twice he took food to his comrades in the face of well aimed small arms fire from a range of 150 yards, through heavy shelling and mortaring over open country, and thereby set an example which enabled the depleted Platoon to hold off and break a counter attack by the enemy in considerable strength. Had this counter attack been successful the forward rifle Companies would have been cut off and the situation might well have been critical.” Background: George Oakley was born at Stourbridge in 1915. He was called up and joined the Worcestershire Regiment in July 1940. Prior to the war he was employed by Carpet Trades Limited, Kidderminster. He was a member of Carrier Platoon. He was informed that he had been awarded the Military Medal at the Battalions Christmas Day dinner at Bilsen, Belgium in December 1944. |
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