Marine William Rennie was awarded the Military Medal for distinguished service whilst attached to the Allied Armies in the invasion operations in North West Europe.

In the initial assault over the River Elbe on 29th April, Mne Rennie was a member of the leading group whose duty was to mark the route to the objective with white tape. As the craft approached the far bank, the enemy opened fire with light anti-aircraft guns, mortars and grenades on the landing point and craft. Immediately off the beach was a steep cliff, 100-ft high, down which the enemy, who were strongly entrenched at the top, were throwing grenades.
Although the NCO in charge of the taping party and the other Marine who was sharing an awkward 'two man' load of tape with Mne Rennie were both wounded, Mne Rennie, without further orders, carried on on his own. Despite the fierce enemy fire, he managed to find and mark a passable route to the top of the cliff carrying the 'two man' load himself. This was a considerable feat of endurance even had he not been under fire and had it been daylight. Having reached the top he then continued to lay the tape for some two miles to the final objective in Lauenburg with great speed and coolness despite concentrations of enemy mortar and gun fire.
Mne Rennie's gallant action in finding and taping a passable route up the cliff, whilst carrying his companions load was beyond all praise. But for his courage and perseverance a considerable delay would have occurred and many casualties inflicted on the succeeding flights of troops on the beach. His action materially assisted in the success of the operation.