Award of the Military Cross
to
Major Robert Devenish Morton, 18th December, 1944.

Citation
   On the 4 September 1944, C Squadron North Irish Horse commanded by Major R. Morton was supporting 6 Gawhal in crossing the river Conca. After about 0830 hrs. the crossing was about to be effected when a heavy stonk came down which temporarily disabled two tanks of the leading troop. Another troop was passed through but was fired on by a self-propelled gun from the area of 016827 and two tanks were knocked out by armour-piercing fire and one by high explosive. Major Mortons’s own tank now came under armour -piercing fire from an 88 m.m. disguised in a haystack in the area 904859. Major Morton went forward on foot and spotted the self-propelled gun as in the vicinity at 916827. Calling for artillery support, he successfully flushed this gun. Having done this he positioned a troop of [Churchill] 75 m.m.s to engage the 88 m.m. Fire was brought down on the area and was setting alight to the haystack. The gun was disclosed and knocked out. Due to mechanical failure and enemy action, Major Morton’s squadron was now reduced to five tanks one of which would not start. The infantry was now across the river and Major Morton ordered his small force across. As he approached the crossing, he reached the tank that would not start. The movement of the tanks had naturally attracted considerable enemy shelling, but Major Morton got out of his tank, personally attached the tow rope to the tank that would not start and towed the tank with his own until it started.
   Major Morton supported the infantry onto their objective of San Clemente 8983 bringing fire down as indicated by the infantry. There is no doubt that Major Morton by his personal behavior and energetic leadership aroused his squadron to support the 6 Garwhal in the face of shots opposition and which his squadron had suffered considerable casualties.

Transcribed from a copy of Army Form making the recommendation.

Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel The Lord O'Neill, Commanding Oficer North Irish Hors.

Endorsed by
Commander 128th Infantry Brigade.

Approved by
Lieutenant-General R. L. McCreery, General Officer Commanding 8th Army.

London Gazette Record
Issue: 36928 Date: 4.2.1945 Page: 796 WO Folio 373/9.
which view.

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