Marine Frederick Lanyon aged 21 and from St.Mabyn, Cornwall, was awarded the Military Medal for gallantry, leadership and undaunted devotion to duty during the assault on the Island of Walcheren. Post war member of the Commando Association residing Bodmin, Cornwall.

"Closing the beach near Westkapelle during the assault on Walcheren on 1 November 1944, the LCT carrying Mne. Lanyon's troop, 47(RM) Commando, was hit by a shell.
Three amphibians in the LCT caught fire and there were large and loud explosions. A number of Mne. Lanyon's troop were killed, wounded, or burnt, and among these was a marine who had been literally blown into the sea and had his leg broken.
There was a general 'suave qui peut'.

Mne. Lanyon, who is not a strong swimmer, without hesitation jumped into the sea and assisted this marine, who was quite helpless and in great pain, to reach the beach which was some 200 yards distance. By this time Mne. Lanyon was in a state of complete exhaustion and had swallowed so much salt water that he had to be given medical attention in the Beach Dressing Station. Here his clothes were taken away but as soon as he had recovered his faculties this marine, wrapped only in a blanket, rejoined his troop. He was subsequently fitted out in the unit's RAP with casualty clothing.

The next day Mne. Lanyon's troop was ordered to attack the battery South East of Zouteland. They came under heavy fire at close range by several enemy riflemen, killing his section NCO, and wounding 3 others in his section. The men scattered and took cover.

At this critical junction, Mne Lanyon, calling upon the others to follow him, without hesitation rushed the enemy post, killed three of them and wounded the fourth.

But for his fearless example and leadership on this occasion there is little doubt that the attack would have been held up and possibly never been put in that evening."