STILWELL, Michael William
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Rank:
Captain (later Honorary Major)
Unit / Base:
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Coldstream Guards
Service:
Army
Number:
149313
Honours & Awards:
Born:
Saturday, July 10, 1920
Died :
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Age:
88
Captain Stilwell, No.2 Commando, was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry during operations at Spilje, Albania.
Recommendation
Spilje Albania, July 28/29, 1944. Operation Healing 11.
"Captain Stilwell was in command of a force consisting of 2 Troops, whose task was to assault enemy positions which were well placed on the top of high ground with steep approaches. Captain Stilwell led the assault himself, and by his courage and leadership maintained a steady advance under heavy machine gun fire, until the positions were all over-run. Near the top he was badly wounded in the buttock, but insisted on carrying on till the consolidation was complete. He then organised the exploitation of the ridge, but did not accompany the exploiting party as he could not move fast enough. He refused to be carried back to the Regimental Aid Post as stretcher bearers were already busy with other casualties, and, although in great pain, he insisted on attending to casualties near him, and organising their evacuation."
Recommendation
Spilje Albania, July 28/29, 1944. Operation Healing 11.
"Captain Stilwell was in command of a force consisting of 2 Troops, whose task was to assault enemy positions which were well placed on the top of high ground with steep approaches. Captain Stilwell led the assault himself, and by his courage and leadership maintained a steady advance under heavy machine gun fire, until the positions were all over-run. Near the top he was badly wounded in the buttock, but insisted on carrying on till the consolidation was complete. He then organised the exploitation of the ridge, but did not accompany the exploiting party as he could not move fast enough. He refused to be carried back to the Regimental Aid Post as stretcher bearers were already busy with other casualties, and, although in great pain, he insisted on attending to casualties near him, and organising their evacuation."
22.09.1940 commissioned Cheshire Regiment; later transferred Coldstream Guards.
03.07.1942 joined No.2 Commando from Coldstream Guards.
13.12.1943 Molfetta, informed his brother was dangerously wounded in dying condition at Naples. Departed for Naples. Lieutenant Anthony Paul Stilwell, Coldstream Guards 3rd Bn., died of wounds in Italy on 18 December 1943 but not before his brother had seen him.
20.12.1943 re-joined No.2 Commando.
15.01.1954 retired from military service and granted honorary rank of Major.
1960 appointed OBE (H.M. Birthday Honours).
1979 appointed CBE (H.M. New Years Honours) for services to the British Community in Portugal.
Sources
No.2 Commando War Diary Field Return of Officers.
No.2 Commando War Diary entries on 13 and 20 December 1943.
London Gazette entries 336139, page 3728; 34957, page 5777; 36730, page 4569; and 40122, page 1521.
Award Recommendations / National Archives file WO 373/46/211.
Image: Michael Stilwell (son).
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