Sergeant Allan George Reading
Unit : "A" Company, 8th Parachute Battalion
Service No. : 5120931
Awards : Military Medal
For outstanding leadership and courage. At Le Mesnil on the 16th June, Sergeant Reading was the Platoon Sergeant of a forward Platoon which was attacked continually by the enemy for a period of 8 hours. During that period Sergeant Reading moved from one section position to another under heavy mortar and machine gun fire to where the enemy was pressing the hardest. Sergeant Reading showed a complete disregard for his own safety and his courage and leadership was an inspiration to all before eventually he had his hand blown off.
Allan Reading's son, Colin, writes that his hand was in fact saved. It had been badly damaged, believed to be by a mortar, and the doctor had favoured amputation but reconsidered when Allan told him that he was a pianist.