Award of the Military Medal
to
Sergeant Frederick William Verso, 26th January, 1945.
On 2 December 1944, Serjeant Verso was commanding the leading tank of B Squadron North Irish Horse in support of the Royal 22 Regiment. The advance up a road went well for 1,000 yards till road junction 411308 was reached. Here Serjeant Verso went off the road to shoot up some enemy infantry. Lieutenant Mahon and Serjeant Burns in the either two tanks of the troop went on up the road. Both these tanks were hit and knocked out by a self-propelled gun or tank. Serjeant Verso jumped out of his tank and by firing his Tommy gun covered the survivors back to safety. He then ran up to the burning tanks to see if he could do anything for the others but unfortunately he could not. Each time showed himself he was shot at by small-arms fire from 50 to 100 yards range.
He went back to his tank in time to help A Company Royal 22nd Regiment beat off a fierce counter attack which actually passed his tank and Company HQ. By staying put and fighting it out he was the deciding factor in the battle. He remained in this position all day under heavy mortar, machine-gun and shell fire, going backwards and forwards between his tank and Company HQ. The infantry sets were out of action so all orders had to be relayed through his. Throughout the action he sent clear and concise messages which kept everyone fully in the picture. There were no other tanks left to assist his so this lone serjeant and his tank did the work normally carried out by a half squadron.
Serjeant Verso has always shown himself to be a gallant and capable tank commander
Recommended by
Lieutenant-Colonel A. W. A. Palmer, DSO, MC, Commander North Irish Horse.
Endorsed by
Brigadier D. Dawnay, Commander 21st Tank Brigade.
Approved by
Lieutenant-General R. L. McCreery, General Officer Commanding 8th Army.
London Gazette Record
Issue: 37091 Date: 24.5.1945 Page: 2649.
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