Military Cross citation for Maj Richard Ashford, 1943

Major Richard Ashford was recommended for an award for action in the North African campaign. The following is an extract from National Archives (ref WO 373/1):

1st Para, 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps.
T/Major Ashford, Richard

Action for which commended (Date recommendation passed forward 18 Jan 1943):

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty.
After a flight of over 450 miles and a parachute drop. On Monday 30th November,1942, Major Ashford was in command of a company which was ordered to attack and occupy the landing ground at OUDNA (Map ref TUNIS K 0636). The company came under heavy machine gun fire and mortar fire from enemy positions to the South of OUDNA and was pinned to the ground. This officer by his leadership , courage and example succeeded in carrying through the attack and occupying the southern edge of the landing ground. In the subsequent operations on 1st and 2nd December, when the Battalion was surrounded and attacked by enemy armoured units and infantry, this officers conduct and leadership were of the highest order, and by his splendid example was in no small measure responsible for the return of that part of his Battalion which successfully regained the British Lines.

Award: Immediate award of the MILITARY CROSS
Awarded MC 11 February 1943