WELSH David Cauldwell

19683, Sergeant, 26 Battalion, WW2

CITATION

Distinguished Conduct Medal

Gazetted 3 August 1944

On the morning of 16 March 1944 when Sergeant Welsh’s platoon was ordered forward at dawn from the square of Cassino, Italy, to assist in mopping-up in the direction of highway 6 it came under heavy mortar and small-arms fire directed from houses immediately in front and was pinned down by concealed snipers after an advance of 150 yards. As soon as his men were in position Sergeant Welsh ran the gauntlet of snipers and machine gun fire over extremely difficult ground to get stretcher-bearers to evacuate the wounded and was instrumental in getting them out safely.  \Later in the day when his company was ordered forward to consolidate on the railway station he crossed the bullet-swept square with the first platoon, a third of whom became casualties. Realising the desparate position of the whole company, and with complete disregard for his own safety, Sergeant Welsh stood fully exposed, calling and encouraging the men over 300 yards of open ground and rushing them behind the shelter of covering tanks and buildings. Between the church and the railway his platoon commander and two forward sections became trapped under a building by sniper showing coolness and initiative he organised a quick flanking movement under harassing small-arms fire which succeeded in extricating the two sections, which were in a critical position and suffering casualties. During the consolidation period he moved among his platoon, encouraging and cheering them until he too became a casualty. The success of the company’s operation was in a great measure due to the gallantry, coolness and unquestionable qualities of leadership of his non-commissioned officer

KNOWN AWARDS

Distinguished Conduct Medal

1939-45 Star

Africa Star

       8th Army

Italy Star

War Medal 1939-45

New Zealand War Service Medal

NOTES

Born 31 October 1918, New Zealand

Died

THE PRO PATRIA PROJECT