WW2 Military Medal named 4031323 AWO CL2 D A RICHARDS KSLI, 1939/45, Africa clasp 1st Army & Italy Stars, Defence & War Medals all unnamed as issued.
MM LG 13th Dec 1945, the original recommendation states: 'This Colour Sergeant has 15 ½ years service. He has been twice wounded in action in Italy. He has frequently been called upon to shoulder abnormal responsibility, on one occasion he was acting CSM during an attack when all Officers in his Company had been wounded or killed. With the greatest gallantry he reorganised his Company and held the ground so dearly won. Though later wounded he remained on duty until arrangements were made for new Officers from elsewhere to take over. He has been continuously conspicuous for his high example of courage and devotion to duty The punctual arrival of the administrative train to his company in action in the mountains of Italy in the winter of 1944 was again and again due to the exceptional initiative and determination displayed by this NCO.'
Douglas Alexander Richards enlisted with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry on 27th Aug 1930, he was still serving with that unit on the outbreak of the Second World War. He was serving as a Sergeant with the 1st Battalion when they landed at Anzio in Jan 1944. They went into action on 8th Feb 1944 at Buonriposo Ridge, the Soldier's of Shropshire Website provides further detail stating: - 'From 8th to 15th Feb 1944 1/KSLI returned to the front line near 'the railway'. On 8th Feb 1944 1/ KSLI attacked a feature called the Buonriposo ridge that was dissected by thickly wooded wadis in heavy rain. The attack was not supported by tanks and was in effect rushed, with poor communication. The attack failed to reach its objective and in the fighting the Germans captured 'the factory' feature. 1/KSLI suffered fifteen killed, eight wounded and eleven missing in this.'
One of those wounded was Richards, the first of two wounds he was to suffer in Italy at the forefront of the fighting. Recovering from his wound he was appointed Acting Company Sergeant-Major and on more than one occasion during the advance through Italy was required to take command of the Company. Richards was wounded again on 26th Oct 1944 just after the capture of Monte Cece near Florence. His wound was not severe however and he remained on duty as the Battalion continued to see service at Monte Grande the following month.
C/Sgt Richards went on to survive the war. Sold with research from the Regimental Journal.
