George Thomas, SIMMONDS

Sergeant 2619676 George Thomas SIMMONDS. MM. 5th Grenadier Guards.
Died 15 February 1945 aged 33
Military Medal gazetted 15 June 1944. as Corporal.
Son of Samuel George and Ethel Kate Simmonds; husband of Amy May Simmonds, of Wotton-under-Edge.

At rest at Wotton under Edge Cemetery, Gloucestershire.

Awarded the Military Medal 15 June 1944

Citation transcribed from his record on National Archives, London

Citation.
24 Guards Brigade, 1st Division, VI Corps
In the ANZIO Bridgehead on the 25 January 1944, 5th Platoon Grenadier Guards were attaching a position known as the Factory and enemy positions was extremely fierce. A/Sgt Simmonds, platoon Sgt and by dint of skill and utter disregard for his own safety succeeded personally in forcing and entry into the Factory building. This action resulted not only in Sgt Simmonds capturing a large number of prisoners but was of the greatest possible assistance in enabling the Bn to reach its final objective. On the 4 Feb this Platoon Sergeant’s position was heavily attacked by overwhelming numbers of the enemy and the fact that the position was held was largely due to the NCO’s fine leadership and personal bravery under the most unpleasant conditions. The above two incidents only which occurred during a period of strain from 25 Jan-9 Feb 1944 throughout which Sgt Simmonds behaviour has been of the highest order