Acting Company Sergeant Major John Tanswell was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished services during operations at Normandy and Walcheren.

"This NCO landed in Normandy on D Day, and since then he has led his sub-section continuously during the campaign in N.W. Europe with outstanding bravery and devotion to duty. He has several times been called upon to perform the duties of Section Officer when his officers became casualties, and his leadership has always been of the highest quality.

As one instance of Sergeant Major Tanswell's fine example, in the assault on Walcheren on 1st Novemeber 1944, he led his sub-section in the attack on W.19 battery. Although he knew the enemy positions to be manned, without thought for his own safety he went forward in broad daylight to cut the wire obstacles through which he successfully led the assault.

In the capacities of Section Officer and Sub-Section commander TSM Tanswell's personal example of coolness and courage under fire has throughout been an inspiration to the men under him."