Private Leslie Olgivie William Meeks
Unit : "D" Company, 12th Battalion The Devonshire Regiment.
Army No. : 14689760
Awards : Military Medal
On 7th April 1945, D Company 12th Devon was advancing from the Weser to the village of Masloh. No anti-tank guns had yet got across the river. About 400 yards from the village, four Panther tanks advanced from the built-up area and engaged the Company with guns and machine guns.
Private Meeks immediately ran forward and engaged the leading tank with his PIAT. He scored two hits at 15 yards range, so disabling the tank that half his Company was able to reach the cover of an isolated house.
The other tanks deployed and sprayed the Company with shells and bullets. Private Meeks, paying no regard for the intense fire, remained in the open in the hope of scoring a hit with his one remaining PIAT bomb. During this period two accurate concentrations of our own medium guns were brought down on the area.
Throughout the whole action which lasted an hour and a half Private Meeks was in the open, subjected at regular intervals to heavy fire from our own guns and the enemy. His superb act of gallantry was largely responsible for the ultimate safety of half his Company. His devotion to duty and determination to engage the enemy was an inspiration to all.