Maurice Albert Windham Rogers
| Maurice Albert Windham Rogers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
17 July 1919 Bristol, Gloucestershire |
| Died |
3 June 1944 † Anzio, Italy |
| Buried at | Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom |
| Service/branch |
 British Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | Wiltshire Regiment |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards |
Victoria Cross Military Medal |
Maurice Albert Windham Rogers VC MM (17 July 1919–3 June 1944) was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
Rogers was 24 years old, and a Sergeant in the 2nd Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's), British Army, during the Battle of Anzio in the Second World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross.
The citation in the London Gazette of 8 August 1944, gives the following details:
In Italy, a battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment was ordered to attack high ground held by the enemy. The carrier platoon of the leading company, dismounted were ordered to capture the final objective. They advanced under intense fire and sustained a number of casualties. The platoon, checked by the enemy's wire and the intensity of his machine-gun fire, took cover some 70 yards short of their objective. Serjeant Rogers continued to advance alone, and penetrated 30 yards inside the enemy's defences, drawing their fire and throwing them into confusion. Inspired by his example, the platoon began the assault. Serjeant Rogers was blown off his feet by a grenade, and wounded in the leg. Nothing daunted, he ran on towards an enemy machine-gun post, attempting to silence it. He was shot and killed at point blank range. This N.C.O.'s undaunted determination, fearless devotion to duty and superb courage carried his platoon on to their objective in a strongly defended position. The great gallantry and heroic self-sacrifice of Serjeant Rogers were in the highest tradition of the British Army.[1]
Legacy
In 2003 Sergeant Rogers had a road named after him. A new industrial estate had been built at Hopton, Devizes, Wiltshire (near to the old La Marchant Barracks) and the road has been called "Sgt Rogers Way". The road sign gives his full name and location and year of the VC award. Earlier he had a block of flats 'Rogers House' named after him on the White City Estate in Shepherds Bush, London. His parents were in attendance at the opening ceremony.
His story was published as the cover story for D.C. Thomson's Victor comic in issue 204 dated 16 January 1965.
The medal
His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Rifles (Berkshire and Wiltshire) Museum in Salisbury, Wiltshire.
References
- ↑ The London Gazette: (Supplement) no. 36646. p. 3695. 8 August 1944. Retrieved 23 June 2015.