Trooper John Dilworth Neilson

Military Medal, awarded 21st May, 1943

Citation
   Whilst in action on Friday 30th April 1943 in support of 8th Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders north of Sidi Ahmed 2nd/Lieutenant R.P.M. Mann’s tank was hit. He and the gunner were killed, and the wireless operator badly wounded. Trooper Neilson, the driver, was also wounded in the area so the co-driver drove the tank out of a wadi.
   Trooper Neilson, although wounded himself, evacuated the co-driver and leaving him with the wounded operator, walked up to Lieutenant Whelan’s troop on Sidi Ahmed and reported the position. It was undoubtedly due to Trooper Neilson’s coolness and courage that the Operator was quickly evacuated and all his movements in the open were under constant machine-gun fire.
   This is the second time this Trooper has displayed coolness and courage. On 9 March 1943 whilst his squadron was supporting 1 Parachute Battalion Trooper Nielson dismounted and under heavy machine-gun fire supervised the towing of his Troop Leader’s tank out of a bog.
   During the fighting in the north and in this present sector Trooper Neilson’s example to his crew had been absolutely outstanding and in inspiration to his comrades.

Bar to the Military Medal, awarded 28th June, 1944.

   0600 hrs 23 May 1944 – 0500 hrs 24 May, Italy. In the action against the Hitler Line, Trooper Neilson’s tank was knocked out by enemy anti-tank guns. Having got out of his tank, this soldier refused to leave the battlefield and on his own initiative undertook the task of collecting all wounded. Under heavy fire and in full view of the enemy Trooper Neilson organized and directed the evacuation of many wounded. Three times he carried wounded men back to safety and each time he returned to the battlefield for more. He seemed to bear a charmed life and for more than 20 hours he remained under fire collecting wounded. It was not his duty and on 2 occasions he went to the help of wounded men; when stretcher bearers were unable to do so owing to the enemy fire.
   His unfailing calmness and cheerfulness under these conditions were an inspiration to all the troops in the area. back to safety and each time he returned to the battlefield for more. He seemed to bear a charmed life and for more than 20 hours he remained under fire collecting wounded. It was not his duty and on 2 occasions he went to the help of wounded men; when stretcher bearers were unable to do so owing to the enemy fire.

Transcribed from copies of Army Forms making these recommendation.

Military Medal Documentation

Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel D. Dawnay, Commanding Officer North Irish Horse

Endorsed by
Brigadier R. H. Maxwell, Commander 25th Tank Brigade.

Approved by
General K. Anderson, Genetral Officer Commander-in-Chief, 1st Army.

London Gazette Record
Issue: 36083 Date: 8.7.43 Page: 3088.
which view.

Bar to the Military Medal Documentaion

Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel E. V. Strickland, Commanding Officer North Irish Horse

Endorsements by
Brigadier J. J. Tetley, Commander 25th Tank Brigade.
Brigadier Wilson, Commander 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade.
Lieutenant-General E. Lee Burns, Commander 1st Canadian Corps.

Approved by
General H. R. Alexander, Commander-in-Chief, Allied Central Mediterranean Force.

London Gazette Record
Issue: 36668 Date: 24.8.44 Page: 3923.
which view.

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