WORTHINGTON, Frank Arthur

Rank: 
Sergeant
Unit / Base: 
6 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Sussex Regiment
Service: 
Army
Number: 
6398404
Honours & Awards: 
Sergeant Worthington was wounded during operations in Western Europe (Maasbracht) on 24 January 1945. Two months later he was wounded again this time at Wesel, Germany, his gallantry on this occasion resulting in the award of the Military Medal.
Recommendation
At Wesel on the 24th March 1945 Sergeant Worthington was in charge of a small defensive position on the outskirts of the city when he saw an enemy bicycle patrol coming towards him at a range of about 1,000 yards. The patrol suddenly turned off down a side street and disappeared from view. Realising that they were heading for a part of the town which had not yet been consolidated, Sergeant Worthington acted immediately and sent a runner to tell his Troop Commander of his action.
He then left a skeleton force in the defensive position and taking the remaining eight of his men he set off to ambush the patrol. He struck the side road just in time to meet the patrol head-on and fired on them from houses by the side of the road. Eight of the enemy were killed or wounded, five taken prisoner and the remainder fled. Sergeant Worthington himself was wounded at the start but refused to hand over or even have his wound dressed until the action was over and the patrol brought back.
By this successful action and by his own initiative, gallantry and immediate action Sergeant Worthington liquidated the enemy patrol and prevented them from running into another unit who were just then at that awkward stage prior to consolidation.
 
Sources
[1] London Gazette 37138, page 3234.
[2] Award Recommendations / National Archives file WO373/54.
[3] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/88 and WO417/90.
 
​Notes
[1] and [3] show Frank Arthur and F.A. respectively; [2] shows Frederick John.
 

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