Award of the Military Medal
to
Lance-Corporal Frederick John Ham, 10th October, 1944.
At about 0900 hours 19 June 4.194, two tanks of Lieutenant J. Rogers were knocked out by anti-tank gun fire in the area 784947 whilst supporting B Squadron 6 Lancers (Indian) in the advance of 8 Indian Division. Both tanks were evacuated on orders from Lieutenant Rogers. The crews were subjected to heavy mortar fire. All members of the crews being wounded with the exception of Lieutenant Rogers and Lance-Corporal Ham. One man, Trooper Linton, had been unable to leave the area of the tanks as he was too badly wounded. Lieutenant Rogers set out to get his man back and Lance-Corporal Ham volunteered to accompany him. Together they set out across an area that was under heavy mortar fire and swept by machine-gun from the village of Ripa 786943. They reached the tank and succeeded in getting the Trooper safely on a ground sheet. They started crawling back dragging the wounded man along. Lieutenant Rogers decided that this method was too slow and exhausting and asked Lance-Corporal Ham to stay with the wounded man then went back to reverse his remaining tank and to recover the wounded man from the enemy fire it was an hour before Lieutenant Rogers could get the tank up.
During this period Lance-Corporal Ham and the wounded man were subjected to mortar fire. As soon as the tank arrived, Lance-Corporal Ham assisted Lieutenant Rogers and Corporal Jackson, the driver of the tank, in getting the wounded man into the tank. Before they succeeded in doing this, Corporal Jackson was mortally wounded. Lance Corporal Ham dressed Corporal Jackson’s wounds and then helped Lieutenant Rogers to place Trooper Linton into the tank. These two then placed Corporal Jackson on the front of the tank and secured him with wire. Lieutenant Rogers and Lance-Corporal Ham got on the front of the tank as well and Lieutenant. Rogers ordered the tank to withdraw. On the way back a shell hit the front of the tank and blew Lieutenant Rogers and Lance-Corporal Ham off the tank, wounding them both. Lance-Corporal Ham applied a tourniquet to Lieutenant Rogers arm and remained with him until both were picked up by the Regimental Medical Officer at 1200 hrs.
Lance-Corporal Ham’s cool and courageous behavior cannot be overstated.
Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel The Lord O'Neill, Commanding Officer North Irish Horse.
Endorsed by
Major-General D. Russell, Commander 8th Indian Division.
Approved by
Lieutenant-General R. L. McCreery, General Officer Commanding 8th Army.
London Gazette Record
Issue: 36828 Date: 7.12.44 Page: 5612.
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