Lot Essay
M.M. London Gazette 31.12.1942. Recommendation states 'In the action at Dier El Munassib, Private Cole showed conspicuous gallantry and deep devotion to duty under the most exacting conditions. In this action, he succoured the wounded and carried them to safety under heavy shell fire, mortar and small arms fire, without regard for his personal safety. He was indefatigable in evacuating casualties to the R.A.P. over long distances without ceasing during two days and nights of the action'.
Private Ronald William Cole, M.M., was serving with the 1/6th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment at the time of the above action in late September 1942, which unit formed part of 131 Infantry Brigade, 44th Division. Interestingly, the original Recommendation for his M.M. is endorsed by General Horrocks in hand, 'I saw this man working myself':
'While these intensive preparations were being made on both sides, there had been some fighting to be done, apart from the day to day business. In particular, an attack was launched on the night of 30 September by the Queen's Brigade of the 44th Division against the formidable defences of the Munassib Depression, held by the Folgore Division and the Ramcke Parachute Brigade. The objects were to secure better concealed areas for the deployment of Artillery and to lend colour to the picture of impending offensive in the South. In this attack the 6th and 7th Battalions of the Queen's won their objectives, but in the 5th Battalion two whole Companies were wiped out and a third decimated. The Brigade Commander proposed to renew the attack the next night, but Horrocks called it off. The Brigade had suffered 392 casualties, but the ground won on the North and East sides of the Depression was consolidated' (Alamein, by C.E. Lucas Phillips, refers).
No doubt Private Cole found himself back in the thick of the action in the Battle of El Alamein proper, barely a month later, the 1/6th Battalion, The Queen's taking heavy casualties.
Private Ronald William Cole, M.M., was serving with the 1/6th Battalion, The Queen's Regiment at the time of the above action in late September 1942, which unit formed part of 131 Infantry Brigade, 44th Division. Interestingly, the original Recommendation for his M.M. is endorsed by General Horrocks in hand, 'I saw this man working myself':
'While these intensive preparations were being made on both sides, there had been some fighting to be done, apart from the day to day business. In particular, an attack was launched on the night of 30 September by the Queen's Brigade of the 44th Division against the formidable defences of the Munassib Depression, held by the Folgore Division and the Ramcke Parachute Brigade. The objects were to secure better concealed areas for the deployment of Artillery and to lend colour to the picture of impending offensive in the South. In this attack the 6th and 7th Battalions of the Queen's won their objectives, but in the 5th Battalion two whole Companies were wiped out and a third decimated. The Brigade Commander proposed to renew the attack the next night, but Horrocks called it off. The Brigade had suffered 392 casualties, but the ground won on the North and East sides of the Depression was consolidated' (Alamein, by C.E. Lucas Phillips, refers).
No doubt Private Cole found himself back in the thick of the action in the Battle of El Alamein proper, barely a month later, the 1/6th Battalion, The Queen's taking heavy casualties.