Marine Sidney Burgess was awarded the Military Medal for courage, example and enthusiasm during commando operations in Northern Europe [1].

"During five days of very close contact with the enemy at Troarn in Aug.44 Mne. Burgess was acting as troop cook. He showed conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in getting hot food forward to the troop during the hours of daylight. It was impossible to cook in the troop area as any noise attracted enemy fire, and cooking was done about 200 yards behind the troop.

Mne Burgess, with containers strapped to his back, made this trip two and often three times a day, frequently through mortar fire. On three separate occasions he was blown into ditches and brambles, and once was slightly wounded. In spite of occasional mortar fire continually on his cooking area, he never failed to arrive at the correct time. He always issued the food himself, crawling to the foremost fire to do so. His steadiness and disregard of personal danger were an example to the entire troop" [2].