Sergeant Harold Wilmott
Unit : No.10 Platoon, "C" Company, 4th Parachute Battalion
Army No. : 4345247
Awards : Military Medal and Bar
Sergeant Wilmott was awarded the Military Medal for his actions with 4th Parachute Battalion during the Italian campaign. His citation reads:
Sergeant Wilmott has been a section and Platoon Sergeant throughout the Battalion campaign in Italy and has shown continuous courage and devotion to duty thoughout this period, taking part in many patrols against the enemy when, by his dash and initiative he has inflicted casualties upon the enemy and taken prisoners. On the Orsogna sector 20th December 1943 - 3rd January 1944 Sergeant Wilmott's Platoon was in an isolated position in the [Chiamato?] feature where he took several patrols against the enemy, on one occasion with two others bringing back 7 German prisoners. In the Arielli Sector 5th January 1944 - 19th February 1944 Sergeant Wilmott again led offensive patrols against the enemy and on January 30th led his Section in an assault on an enemy position, inflicting casualties and bringing back a prisoner urgently demanded by Army. At all times his resource and aggressive spirit in action has been of the highest order.
He was awarded a Bar to the Military Medal for his service in France:
On the 15th August 1944 at Les Serres, near Le Muy, Sergeant Wilmott was Platoon Commander of No.10 Platoon. His Officer had been killed and the Platoon was ordered to take part in a Company attack on the enemy defended positions around the bridge at Les Serres, involving approaching over cross country, crossing wire obstacles and scaling walls of 5 to 12 feet high, loop holed. Sergeant Wilmott led his men with great dash and courage and when the Platoon came under accurate machine gun fire he moved forward and destroyed the post. He was first over the wire and walls and knocked out another machine gun post and then led an attack on the houses within the defences, where he killed another German bringing his personal total to 5 enemy killed. His example and total disregard for his own safety was an inspiration to his Company.