212474 Lt. Walter Leopold Ridl MC.Union Defence Force 12th Field Squadron South African Engineering Corps from:Durban Walter Ridl served as a Lt. in the South African Engineering Corps, in both North Africa and in Italy with the 6th SA Armoured Division, 12th Motorised Brigade, 12th Field Squadron. He was awarded the Military Cross, for "cool courage, leadership and devotion to duty" for opening up the road (clearing mines) between Monte San Martino and Monte Caprara on the morning of 16 April 1945. The citation reads " Although Lt W L Ridl and his party were heavily mortared, shelled and constantly harassed by enemy small arms fire, they continued their task undaunted, achieving what they set out to do."
From the citation on being awarded the Military Cross on 25 May 1945 by Field Marshall H R Alexander, Filed Marshall, Supreme Allied Commander in Chief, Mediterranean Theatre
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