TOMLINSON, Richard

Rank: 
Acting Warrant Officer Class 2 (CSM)
Unit / Base: 
2 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Artillery
Service: 
Army
Number: 
840175
Honours & Awards: 
Sergeant Major Richard Tomlinson was wounded 10 September 1943 during operations at Salerno (Operation Avalanche) [1].
1945 Acting Warrant Officer 2 (Company Sergeant Major) awarded the Military Medal in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during operations at Lake Comacchio (Operation Roast) [2][2a].
Recommendation
Owing to navigational difficulties on Operation Roast on the morning of 2 April 1945, 3 Troop HQ became separated from its Rifle Section and was ordered to form part of an 'ad hoc' force to storm the beaches and form the Commando bridgehead. By setting a peerles example, CSM Tomlinson led his HQ weapons to attack and subdue at least six enemy weapon pits and pill-boxes, and secure the right flank as far as the Canale de Bellocchio.
Later during the same day after re-organisation further inland, the Commando was running short of 3" Mortar ammunition owing to a counter attack on the right flank. Tomlinson volunteered and personally lead a patrol to a cache on the beach to collect more bombs, knowing that this involved running the gauntlet over ground covered by enemy fire.
On the following day during the advance up the Spit, Tomlinson's troop was pinned by intense shell-fire. His coolness and disregard for his own safety were a great inspiration to a body of men already severely strained by fatigue [2a].
 
Sources
[1] Casualty Lists / National Archives file WO417/68.
[2] London Gazette 37162, page 3494.
[2a] Award Recommendations / National Archives file WO373/13/48.
 
Notes
Possible image of him as a Sergeant in a picture within our gallery [view.....].
 

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