209628 Capt. Gerard Ross Norton VC, MM.South African Forces Kaffrarian Rifles from:South Africa Gerard Ross Norton was 28 years old, and a lieutenant in the Kaffrarian Rifles, South African Forces, attached to 1/4th Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment when was awarded the VC.
"On 31 August 1944 during the attack on Montegridolfo, Italy, Lieutenant Norton's platoon was pinned down by heavy fire. On his own initiative and with complete disregard for his own safety, he advanced alone and attacked the first machine-gun emplacement, killing the crew of three. He then went on to the second position containing two machine-guns and 15 riflemen, and wiped out both machine-gun nests, killing or taking prisoner the remainder of the enemy. Throughout these attacks he was continuously under fire from a self-propelled gun, nevertheless he calmly went on to lead his platoon against the remaining enemy positions."
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