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It is appropriate that a grateful Nation should recognise its war heroes by presenting them with a formal token in the form of a medal; the VC, DSO,MC, Mention in Despatches, etc. for example.

One wonders on what bravery scale these diverse medals are calculated. This aspect was especially apparent in Jeremy Clarkson’s moving ��ѿ��ý2 programme on Tuesday the 4th of November. I noticed that, in attaining a Victoria Cross, the selfless saving of the lives of numerous fellow comrades seemed to be as important a factor as the fearless killing of several of the enemy.

My brother, an A.2.R.N. Beach Commando, received a ‘Mention’ for his part in facilitating the 1944 Allied troop landings at night on the German fortress island of Elba.
The citation read as follows….

‘ On the 17thof June 1944 showed great gallantry and devotion to duty in pressing home the attack on the German “F” Lighter and later in engaging enemy snipers at close range in an exposed position. When a heap of sacking of sacking at the end of the mole caught fire, O’Connor and Able Seaman Parsons trampled it out despite being fully illuminated only fifty yards or so from the enemy snipers. Killed in action.’

We were very pleased to receive my brother’s posthumous recognition. Both he and Able Seaman Parsons had certainly fulfilled all the factors relating to personal valour and must have saved the lives of countless others attempting a beach landing under the cover of darkness. Perhaps, had he lived a little while longer, he might have achieved an MC or a DSO?

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