O’BRIEN Sir Richard Maj DSO MC and Bar
Of London on 11 December 2009 aged 89. Born on 15 February 1920, Richard was educated at Oundle and Clare College, Cambridge. He was commissioned into 14th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters on 15 March 1941, serving with them in North Africa and Italy until its disbandment after the Battle of San Savino. He was awarded his first MC
at the Battle of El Alamein in November 1942 where, despite being seriously wounded, he led his men and vehicles through a minefield. He was awarded the bar to his MC at the Anzio beachhead on 15 March 1944 when he lead a fighting patrol to recce a house which had been identified as an enemy strongpoint. In the intense darkness, he and his men had to find a way through a mined area by touch and feel: once through, they captured two of the enemy from a tracked vehicle, three others who had been in a sandbagged outhouse and they attempted, also, to capture a tank. He returned to his own lines with four fit men, five walking casualties and five prisoners. His citation stated that he had “shown courage and determination of the highest order”. In September 1944, he was transferred to 2nd/5th The Leicestershire Regiment and was subsequently awarded the DSO for actions near Forli.
He was later appointed personal assistant to Field Marshal Montgomery and it was Sir Richard who presented the surrender terms
RUTTER Richard MM
Of Cannock on 30 March 2010 aged 85. Born in Walsall, he joined the LDV, later the Home Guard, at the outbreak of WW2. When he was old enough, he enlisted into The South Staffordshire Regiment and, in 1944, he served with their 7th Battalion in Normandy. During Op Charnwood, the Battalion was ordered to capture the village of La Bijude, situated to the north of Caen. The attack was made across open ground in daylight against well prepared German positions. Dick showed exceptional gallantry whilst under small arms and mortar fire. Although wounded in the head, he continued to maintain his Bren Gun in the open, his number two having become a casualty, until his ammunition was expended. On his own, he then assaulted the enemy
to Field Marshal Keitel. After the war, he remained with Field Marshal Montgomery when he became Commander in Chief British Forces of Occupation in Germany. On retiring from the Army, he spent two years as development officer of the National Association of Boys’ Clubs. He then embarked upon a career in engineering with a Wakefield-based company firstly as Personnel Manager, then as Production Director and then as Director and General Manager of Head Wrightson Mineral Engineering. In 1961, he was appointed to the post of Director of Industrial Relations at the British Motor Corporation (soon to become British Leyland). He left in 1966 to become industrial adviser on manpower to the Department of Economic Affairs; in 1968, he joined Delta Metals as Director of Manpower. In 1982 he was appointed Chairman of the Engineering Industry Training Board. From 1984 to 1990, he was Chairman of the Policy Studies Institute and as joint Chairman until 1998. He was knighted in the New Year’s Honours List in 1980.
position, using his Bren as a bludgeon. The action saved numerous lives of the men of his Platoon. For this action, he was awarded the Military Medal. He took part, also, in the attack on the Orne Bridgehead during 7 – 9 August 1944. After 59 Division was broken up, he was posted to 7th Battalion The Somerset Light Infantry with whom he fought until May 1945. Originally from Walsall, he settled in Cannock Wood and he was an active member of the Staffordshire Regimental Association for many years. He was also a Staffordshire Regiment Museum Volunteer and he took a deep interest in the recent tours to Iraq made by 1st Battalion The Staffordshire Regiment. Above all, he was incredibly modest and unassuming. His obituary appeared in The Daily Telegraph and The Times.
courses including Airborne Forces. In July 1945, he was sent to 1st Battalion The Gordon Highlanders where he won the Military Cross attacking a stronghold near Thomasof in Germany. After the war, he served in East Africa, Korea and Malaya, marrying Edna in Malaya in 1952 whilst he was serving with The New Federation Regiment. In retirement, he was very fond of sea swimming and was a member of a club in Hove which went in every day including Christmas when money was raised for Charity. Whilst swimming one day in August 1979, he saved a young boy from drowning and received an honorary Testimonial on Vellum from The Royal Humane Society. The Citation in the London Gazette of 24 May 1945 for the award of the Military Cross reads:
VENTRISS Ian T P Maj MC
Of Hove on 6 February 2010 aged 91. Ian was born on 29 April 1919 and educated at Cottesmore Prep School and Brighton College until entering Sandhurst direct from college in 1937. He was commissioned on 26th January 1939 into The North Staffordshire Regiment. He was posted to the 2nd Battalion and served with the BEF in France, escaping from Dunkirk on a Dutch barge. From then until 1945, he was based in UK on various
The Mercian Eagle
“On 20 Feb 45, Lieut Ventriss was commanding a Platoon in B Company who had been ordered to capture the enemy stronghold of Thomashof. He was commanding the leading Platoon and had to cross 300 yards of open ground before reaching the first buildings which would give his Platoon any cover. This open ground was well covered by accurate Spandau fire from the houses which formed part of his objective.
Lieut Ventriss led his Platoon over this open ground with amazing determination, dash and cool gallantry and set such an example that all but four of his Platoon reached the first set
of buildings, despite the enemy’s intense fire. These four men were pinned to the ground by a Spandau firing at very close range from the flank but, showing a complete disregard for his own personal safety and bravery that gave great encouragement and confidence to his Platoon, he went out to each man and reassured each so that a small charge was organised and the Spandau silenced. During this operation he was wounded and every movement was painful, yet he insisted on carrying on.
He then organised the defence of his building which he had captured against great odds so that his Platoon would be able to hold the obvious counter-attack. However, so determined and so aggressive was he that his Platoon reached a very high standard and with their fire beat up all efforts of the enemy to counter-attack. He was again wounded when moving about encouraging and directing the efforts of his men, but he would not give in and insisted on carrying on until he was ordered by his Commander to return to the RAP from where he was evacuated.
The superb example and personal bravery over a long period, under the most difficult conditions, shown by Lieut Ventriss was beyond praise and was largely responsible for this important objective being captured. His initiative, encouragement and coolness on the battlefield undoubtedly saved many lives.”
October 2010 111
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