Sergeant John Bardwell
Unit : 2nd Parachute Battalion
Army No. : 5339494
Awards : Military Medal
On the 14th of July 1943 this N.C.O. was commanding a section in the hills South of Catania in Sicily. Soon after dawn the enemy launched a heavy counter attack on the positions and it became necessary to withdraw this section which was in danger of being cut off. During this movement Sergeant Bardwell showed great skill, initiative and coolness in covering his men with fire and leading them back. Having taken up new positions he went back under heavy fire and brought back two of his men who had been wounded and were in danger of being burnt alive as the dry grass was on fire. A magnificent example to all ranks in the sector, which was directly responsible for saving the lives of other wounded who might have been burned alive.