Award of the Military Medal
to
Squadron Sergeant Major Leonard Charles Bumstead, 24th May, 1945.

Citation
    On 26 April 45 Squadron Sergeant Major Bumstead was SSM of ‘C’ Squadron, N.I.H. The tanks of the squadron had been ferried over the Po and the SSM was left on the South bank in command of the B Vehicles and RASC Platoon. He succeeded in getting his entire echelon across and properly organized in a very short time.
   Tanks and infantry had to follow different routes to the Adige - the tanks making a big detour to the West and travelling across country. At the time SSM Bumstead set out with his supply column the tanks and infantry had not joined up, thus he had to find his own route to the tanks. The country was not cleared of enemy and he had no AFVs with him. In spite of this he found his way to the tanks in time to supply them. His echelon had several sharp encounters with the enemy and captured sixteen prisoners. By his skill and courage SSM Bumstead made it possible for the tanks to operate next day when the squadron destroyed an enemy column of 300 vehicles and captured many prisoners.
   Throughout two campaigns this Warrant Officer has always acted with the greatest courage and devotion to duty.

Transcribed from a copy of Army Form making the recommendation.

Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel A.W.A.Llewellen-Palmer, DSO, MC., Commanding Officer North Irish Horse.

Endorsed by
Brigadier D. Dawnay, Commander 21st Tank Brigade.

Approved by
Lieutenant-General C. Keightley, Commander 8th Indian Infantry Division.

London Gazette Record
Issue: 37235 Date: 23.8.45 Page: 4270 WO Folio 373/13.
File copy

SSM Bumstead was also Mentioned in Despatches
Gazetted 23rd September 1943.
Issue: 36180 Page: 4222

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