Sergeant Walter Edwin Crane
Unit : 12th Battalion The Devonshire Regiment.
Army No. : 5627606
Awards : Military Cross
On 24th March 1945 during the Airborne landings East of the Rhine, Sergeant Crane landed by Glider in an area near Hamminkeln. Several gliders of various units had landed nearby, but owing to the smoke and dust it was not possible to ascertain at once where they were.
During the initial disorganisation, the area was engaged by enemy mortar and Self Propelled Gun fire. Sergeant Crane without hesitation and with complete disregard to his own safety organised the local defence of the area and the unloading of the Gliders, several of which had partially crashed, and thereby jammed the normal means of release.
An enemy attack by a platoon of infantry was successfully held off. During all this time Sergeant Crane moved about between the Gliders completely exposed to enemy fire encouraging the men and rendering every assistance in the unloading of the Gliders and removal of casualties.
By his outstanding example and devotion to duty, Sergeant Crane was responsible for saving a number of essential transport and anti-tank guns, and his cheerfulness and leadership at a critical time were an inspiration to all concerned.