WW2 First Wave at Salerno Military Medal (Immediate) Group of Six to a Prisoner of War – L.Sgt. F. Price, Hampshire Regiment

A superb second world war first wave at Salerno immediate Military Medal group of six awarded to Lance Sergeant Frank Price, Hampshire Regiment. 

George VI Military Medal named to 3959902 L.Sjt. F. Price, Hamps. R. 
1939-45 Star unnamed as issued 
Africa Star unnamed as issued 
Italy Star unnamed as issued 
WW2 Defence Medal unnamed as issued 
War Medal 1939-45 unnamed as issued 

London Gazette, 13 Jan 1944: Military Medal (Immediate Award)
  “L/Sjt. Price is a Rifle Platoon Section Commander and on the 9th September 1943 while moving from the Salerno bridgehead beaches into the vineyards he showed great courage and determination. On several occasions he charged enemy M.G. posts with his T.S.M.G. causing havoc and confusion among the enemy while at the same time directing and goading his section into devastating assaults on the enemy positions. Throughout the whole assault from the sea he displayed great bravery and maintained a very high standard of cheerfulness and morale in his section.”

Frank Price was from Merthyr Tydfil and enlisted with the Welsh Regiment before transferring to the Reconnaissance Corps and then the 1/4th Hampshire Regiment.  He landed in North Africa just after the invasion took place in 1942. 

Price was captured and taken prisoner of war in North Africa on 22nd April 1943. He was freed on 7th May 1943 when the Allies took Tunis. He won his MM during the Salerno landings on 9th September 1943 before being seriously wounded with gun shot wounds penetrating his abdomen on 26th September 1943. 

The group comes with the Military Medal envelope and card box of issue with Buckingham Palace forwarding slip, Regular Army Certificate of Service red book, Several copies of photographs showing Frank Price in uniform wearing his MM ribbon, copies of various documents and copies of some newspaper articles. One of which reads:

“M.M.’s Illness Saved Him From Interment (By A military Observer).

A Merthyr man, L.Sgt Frank Price, M.M., of the Hampshire’s landed in North Africa just after the invasion in 1943. When pushing forward with his section under heavy fire, they were suddenly and unsuspectingly taken prisoners in an “enemy cleared area”. “I didn’t know what surprise was until that day. We expected absolutely no opposition or patrolling,” said Lance Sergeant Price. Fortunately – perhaps one of those rare bits of luck in war – he became seriously ill in the P.O.W. cage, and could not be moved.  He missed what might be called “the last boat to Rome”.  If he had been well he would be a prisoner of war; but the enemy did not evacuate him; and when Tunis fell his comrades in arms were able to release him. 

After his recuperation he went on an assault training programme and followed that up by going in on the first wave at Salerno when Italy was invaded.  Soon after landing he carried through his job with such incomplete concern for himself that he was awarded the Military Medal. “There was a hut in the near foreground to us and we suspected an enemy ‘op’.  “We weren’t sure until we saw the door move. I was then detailed to go with two men and a M.G. to take the hut. We got it too,” finished L.Sgt Price.

On approaching the hut he left the two men and the gun to his rear and advanced by himself with his Tommy gun. Kicking the door open he sprayed the inside with rounds.  His bag was six of the enemy. 

L.Sgt. Price’s home is at 4 King Street, Caepanttywyll, Merthyr.  His wife, who is a nurse, is now in Cornwall.”

The following extract is taken from “The Royal Hampshire Regiment 1918 – 1954” David Scott Daniell.

“On 22nd April 1943 the 128th Infantry Brigade attacked Bou Arada. The 16th Durham Light Infantry Battalion was added to the Brigade for the attack. Five Field Regiments and two Medium Regiments of the Royal Artillery supported the Brigade.  Early progress was good, but when the mist cleared all four battalions were caught in the open under heavy fire, and losses mounted. The rifle companies of 1/4th Battalion only had 3 Officers and 80 men left between them. The 2/4th Battalion had to reorganise onto a three-company basis.”

This was the day that L. Sgt F. Price, 1/4 Hampshire Regiment, was captured as stated in the MOD letter sent to his wife.

Regiment: Hampshire Regiment

Era: WW2