FENTON, Ernest

Rank: 
Temporary Corporal
Unit / Base: 
42RM Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Marines
Service: 
Royal Navy
Number: 
EX/1300
Honours & Awards: 
Corporal Ernest Fenton was awarded the Military Medal for bravery and undaunted devotion to duty during operations in Burma.
Recommendation
During the operation in Burma from 25 January to 1st February 1945 Cpl Fenton was in charge of the unit transport. For the whole of the period he was based at the foot of Hill 170 and continually volunteered to drive his truck from that feature to the beach and back with rations, ammunitions, and casualties, in spite of the fact that the road was under harrassing fire.
On one occasion another truck broke down in the road and Cpl Fenton immediately backed his truck along the road, which was being shelled at the time, and took the other truck in tow.
On the morning of 31st January 1945, after the enemy counter attack, he brought up ammunition for the tanks which was urgently needed although the shelling and sniping was still heavy and was ever anxious to take his load as near to the scene of the action as possible.
His personal initiative, coolness, and determination in carrying out his dangerous duties both by day and night were an example to the other drivers under his command, many of whom had not been under fire before.
 
Sources
London Gazette 37079, page 2527.
Award Recommendations / National Archives file WO373/98/572.
Obituaries in Commando Association newsletter 119 where rank shown as Sergeant.
 

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