Reply To: 132 Field Ambulance Italy 1944

[Hugh Roderick]

My father Lieutenant William Stanley Roderick was the officer in charge of the evacuation when those three soldiers were killed on 20 October 1944. To quote the citation for the MC he won ‘for gallant and distinguished service on three occasions’:

“Lieutenant Roderick was in charge of the evacuation from M:CECO to MERCATALE when the track came under heavy mortar fire. With three bearers killed and three severely wounded, Lieutenant Roderick arranged for the wounded and organised and led the party of relief bearers. During the period that Lieutenant Roderick was in charge at MERCATALE , the bearer post was under continuous harassing fire and he had to take numerous visits forward to BAFADI, along a track which was rendered very dangerous from shell and mortar fire. The efficiency of his work and his cheerfulness and coolness under fire were an inspiration to the bearers under his command.”

I’m a very proud son! But I know he was devastated by the losses for the rest of his life.