GROVES, Eric Richard Clifford

Rank: 
Lance Corporal
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Army Service Corps
Service: 
Army
Number: 
T/83555
Honours & Awards: 
Born: 
Thursday, November 13, 1919
Died : 
Monday, September 23, 2002
Age: 
82
LCpl Eric Groves MM 2 Commando
Lance Corporal Eric Groves, 2 Troop, was awarded the Military Medal for his gallantry at Argenta, Italy, on the 17th April 1945. Post war member of the Commando Association.
Recommendation
On 17 April 1945 L/Cpl. Groves' troop attacked along the dykes West of Argenta to capture the bridges across the River Reno and neighbouring canals. Shortly after the objectives were captured, the enemy counter-attacked in strength down all three dykes. The bren group defending the western dyke was knocked out by a mortar bomb, leaving the left flank badly exposed. L/Cpl. Groves saw enemy troops with panzerfaust and spandau infiltrating down the western dyke. Realising the danger, he immediately, and on his own initiative, led his bren group across the demolished bridge over the canal which was under heavy small arms and mortar fire. He reached the dyke when the enemy had advanced to within less than 100 yards of the bridge and ordered his bren to open fire, but the bren jammed. Groves drew his revolver and rushed towards the enemy over completely bare ground, which was subjected to heavy enemy small arms fire. He fired rapidly into the enemy driving them back, and enabled his bren team to get their gun working again. His prompt and courageous action undoubtedly saved a critical situation and prevented the enemy over-running the left flank.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37235, page 4270.
Award Recommendations / National Archives file WO 373/13/473.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 116 (2003).
[Image] CVA gallery / His daughter April Richer.
 

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