Brave Rushden Soldier
Maimed Cpl. Recommended for Military Medal

  Now convalescing at his home, 16, Upper Queen-street, Rushden, Cpl. Charles Wilford, Northamptonshire Regiment, who returned from the Central Mediterranean theatre of war a fortnight ago, having had his left leg amputated and with mortar wounds to the left hand, is being recommended for the Military Medal, and the formal announcement of the award is expected in the near future.

  Cpl. Wilford was wounded early in June and was for some time in hospital dangerously ill.  To-day he looks well and is progressing favourably.

  Aged 26 and married, he has been in the Army for over four-and-half years.  In his two years’ overseas service he went to Madagascar, India, Persia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Sicily.  He is a member of the Park-road Baptist Church and formerly worked for Messrs. C. K. Wood, boot manufacturers.  It was in Italy that the bravery earned the recommendation which now awaits the King’s approval.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 29^th September, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Rushden Corporal Wins M.M.
Earlier News Now Officially Confirmed

  It was officially announced last Friday that the Military Medal has been awarded to Cpl. Charles Wilford, Northamptonshire Regiment, of 16, Upper Queen-street, Rushden.

  Cpl. Wilford is 26 years of age and married.  He returned home from the Central Mediterranean theatre of war in August having had his left leg amputated, and with mortar wounds in the left hand.  In the Army for four-and-a-half years, he had two years’ overseas service, going to Madagascar, India, Persia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Sicily.

  News that Cpl. Wilford had been recommended for the Military Medal in recognition of his bravery while fighting in Italy was given in the “Echo and Argus” on August 25^th.

The Rushden Echo & Argus, 6^th October, 1944, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Stirring Record of Gallantry
Rushden Corporal Inspired All Who Saw Him

  Stirring tributes, meriting the pride and admiration of the town, have been paid to the character and conduct of a Rushden soldier, Corporal Charles Wilford, Northamptonshire Regiment.

  As already announced, Cpl. Wilford, whose home is at 16, Upper Queen-street, Rushden, has been awarded the Military Medal for his bravery during service in Italy.  Now, from official sources, the story is available in full.

  On May 23^rd (states a military observer) a company of a battalion of the Northamptons was ordered to assist in an attack across the Moletta river and the capture of L’Americano, a hamlet on the north bank.  The assault was carried out by a Yorkshire Battalion, and was part of a plan to divert the attention of the Germans from the bigger offensive launched on the centre and eastern flank of the Anzio positions.

  Corpl. Wilford was in charge of the company stretcher-bearers and after the attack went in, he followed up, despite the enemy’s heavy mortar and shell fire, and assisted the wounded.  He remained on the banks of the river all day, evacuating casualties under continuous fire.

Crawled Through Mines

  Early the next morning, all troops north of the river were ordered to withdraw under cover of a smoke screen.  The enemy had concentrated particularly heavy mortar fire on the line of the river by the time he reached it.  As he did so, he heard the groans of a wounded man who had fallen outside the tapes marking a gap in a minefield.

  Showing a magnificent disregard for all danger, Corpl. Wilford went forward to him.  He calmly crawled to the man, who was still calling for assistance, and dragged him out of the minefield.

  “His fearless courage and the wonderful cheerfulness and coolness he showed throughout the whole 48 hours were an inspiration to all ranks with whom he came in contact,” says the citation.  “His untiring efforts and personal bravery have earned him the highest praise from all who saw him.  His fine spirit of self-confidence saved yet one more fatal casualty, one among the very, very many this fearless and zealous N.C.O. has been personally responsible for saving since the crossing of the Garigliano.”

  Corporal Wilford is 26 and married.  He returned from the Central Mediterranean in August, having had his left leg amputated and with mortar wounds in the left hand, and is now at home with his wife.

 He has been in the Army four and a half years and served overseas two years, going to Madagascar, India, Persia, Syria, Palestine, Egypt and Sicily.  Formerly in the employ of Messrs. C. K. Woods, boot manufacturers, and, earlier, at the “Rushden Echo” printing works, he is a member of the Park-road Baptist Church.

Rushden Echo & Argus, 9^th March 1945

Corporal Charles Wilford, Northamptonshire Regiment, of 16, Upper Queen-street, Rushden, recently visited Buckingham Palace and received his Military Medal from the King.

The action, in which he won the award was in Italy on March 23rd. 1944, and the citation referred to "outstanding gallantry and valour in the field, showing great courage in bringing in a wounded man off a minefield."

Early in June, Corporal Wilford was wounded, and had his left leg amputated.

He was accompanied to the Palace by his wife and mother-in-law, Mrs. L. Wooding, also of Rushden.

The King asked Corporal Wilford in what part of Italy he was wounded, and he replied that it was at Anzio. His Majesty then asked if he was discharged and if he had work to go to. Corporal Wilford will be discharged on March 15^th and has been home for  over six months.