Lt Haydon - 41 Royal Marines Commando - Recommended for Victoria Cross - Salerno

Si Biggs
2 hours ago
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Lt Peter Haydon from 41 CDO RM was 19 years old and had served for less than six months in the Royal Marines when he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.)

Originally recommendation for an Military Cross (M.C.) for actions at Salerno, after returning wounded provided witness statements of the action in which Lt. Haydon was involved the citation was later updated to recommend a Victoria Cross (V.C.)

After consideration the GOC-in-C decided to grant an immediate D.S.O.

The D.S.O. first established by Queen Victoria on 6 September 1886 'We have instituted and created and by these presents, for Us, Our Heirs and Successors, do institute and create a new Naval and Military Order of Distinction.'

Awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat, serving under fire, and was usually awarded to those above the rank of captain. Until 1943, the recipient must have been mentioned in despatches by the commander-in-chief of the Army, or admiral of the Navy.

The first awarded on 25 November 1886.

Captain Peter Hillyard Haydon was born in Penzance, his father, Lt RE Rollo Hillyard Stafford Haydon, (B: 1898 D: 1964) was taken prisoner at Dunkirk on 26th May 1940.

Peter was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marines on 17th April 1943, and promoted Temporary Acting Lieutenant on 14th June 1943.

In 1943 when a section commander in Q Troop No 41 RM Commando, Peter distinguished himself in combat in Italy when defending the strategic road from Salerno to Naples. Although outnumbered by the enemy and wIth his troop depleted and down to only 7 men, he asked for a rifle , so his Troop Sergeant picked one up from one of his men who had been killed, he used the rifle to shoot dead four Germans at close quarters (less than 50 metres). He was wounded multiple times; a serious shrapnel splinter wound in the buttock from an artillery shell, then other wounds including gun shot wounds in both legs; but Lt Haydon refused medical aid or evacuation. He also refused morphia so that he could remain sharp for the expected further counter-attacks.

He showed conspicuous gallantry and leadership, and his troop succeeded in driving off repeated attacks by the enemy. He fainted multple times during the engagement, and only agreed to being evacuated when he was sure that his Troop had defeated the enemy. He allowed homself to be assisted back to the Aid Post by a Signals Sergeant, who ended up having to carry Lt Haydon when he collapsed and lost consciousness again.

CONFIDENTIAL

Royal Marines Museum Archive - RM/CRD/14/43

From: The Officer Commanding, 41st R.M. Commando, C.M.F.

Date: 14th October, 1943.

To: The Commander, Special Service Brigade, C.M.F.

-----------------------------------

Subject: Lieut. P. F. H. Haydon, R.M.

At SALERNO a recommendation for the award of the V.C. was forwarded in respect of the above mentioned officer. This was done on the recommendation of his Troop Commander – Captain Wilkinson, who during the course of the operation told Captain Burton, the Adjutant, that Lieut Haydon had put up a magnificent show.
Captain Wilkinson was evacuated before the conclusion of operations and the information on which the original recommendation was based was received from Sergt. Cole, the Section Sergt of Lieut. Haydon's Section.
On the return from hospital of Captain Wilkinson and C/Sergt Morgan, the T.S.M., the full story has been obtained and it is now considered that Lieut Haydon's action warrants a recommendation for the V.C.
This recommendation is forwarded herewith and it is requested that consideration may be given to the fact that all witnesses were not available when the original recommendation was made.

[signature]

Major R.M.

Officer Commanding,

41st Royal Marine Commando.

Recommendation

* As a result of information received at a later date from returned wounded the following citation was received altering the recommendation from M.C. to V.C. After consideration the GOC-in-C decided to grant an immediate D.S.O.

On 10 September 1943 at Vietri Sul Mare, 41RM Commando were holding a narrow defile immediately West of Vietri through which ran the road Salerno-Naples.

'A' Troop, who were in position on top of the left hill, had been attacked during the forenoon suffering heavy casualties. 'A' Troop Commander anticipated further infiltration on his left flank because of the very close country - terraced vineyards, etc - asked for a section of 'Q' Troop, who were on his left rear held in reserve for a counter attack role, to come up on his left since he had insufficient men to watch this flank himself.

Accordingly about 1430hrs Lieutenant Haydon, 'Q' Troop, took up a position with his section on 'A' troop's immediate left. At 1445 hrs his position was heavily mortared and Lieutenant Haydon suffered a large shrapnel wound in the buttock.

Realising that this mortaring was probably the prelude to an attack, Lieutenant Haydon, though in pain, refused to be evacuated and remained with his section, calmly directing the defense of his position and encouraging and inspiring his men in the attack which shortly came in and in which he was again wounded by a bullet in the thigh. This attack was successfully repulsed although firing continued and it was apparent that the enemy had not withdrawn.

During a short lull his wounds were dressed by the Troop Sergeant Major of 'A' Troop (C/Sgt Morgan). He again refused to be evacuated and moreover he refused morphia so as he might keep his mind alert. He asked for a rifle and Colour Sergeant Morgan procured one for him from a dead man. Subsequently two further attacks were put in on his position, one at 1700hrs, followed swiftly by a second at 1730hrs.

It was entirely due to Lieutenant Haydon's control, the use of his fire power and because of his splendid example to his men that these attacks were driven off. During the latter, though he had fainted three times during the afternoon, he killed four Germans at close range with his rifle, with great difficulty on account of his wounds. Lieutenant Haydon was finally left with seven men of his section which though outnumbered had successfully repulsed three attacks inflicting many casualties.

Captain Peter Haydon D.S.O. 41 Royal Marines Commando

At dusk and when the enemy had been conclusively driven from the hill, Lieutenant Haydon was evacuated. He refused to allow any of his men to leave their positions, where they were vitally needed, to help him. He waited instead for the Signal Sergeant who was repairing a wireless set at 'A' Troop HQ to complete his task saying that he would make his way down with his assistance.

On being helped to his feet he collapsed and was finally carried by the Signal Sergeant to a place on the nearby road from which he could be evacuated to the R.A.P.

This officer, although only 19 years old and having less than six months service in the Royal Marines, by his conspicuous gallantry and extreme devotion to duty, inspired by his example, and encouraged his few men to hold their position against superior numbers of the enemy, repelling three attacks on the position, the loss of which would have rendered the other Troop's ('A' Troop) position on the hill untenable. His courage, endurance, and example in the face of the enemy were of the highest order.

Promoted Captain, Peter Haydon was later killed in action on Sunday 5th November 1944 during Op. INFATUATE on the island of Walcheren. Capt Haydon was OC Y Troop of No 41 Royal Marine Commando at Walcheren.

41 RM Cdo were augmented by Belgian Commandos from 4 (Belgian) Troop and Norwegian Commandos from 5 (Norwegian) Tp of No 10 (Inter-Allied) Commando, and were tasked with clearing / capturing the important German position 'W18' on Walcheren island. W18 consisted of four heavy coastal artillery guns and four anti-aircraft guns.

The Norwegians set off first at 14:30 hrs, A Tp 41 Cdo following at 15:00 hrs and Y Tp 41 Cdo at 15:15 hrs.

Y Tp fought hard and well but during the assault the Tp Commander Captain Haydon was shot in the leg by a sniper. His batman Mne Byron Moses went forward to rescue his officer but was immediately shot and killed by the sniper, who then killed Capt Haydon.

**Marine Byron Moses No 41 Royal Marines Commando**

After A and Y Tps had secured the objective, the second-in-command of 41 RM Cdo, Major Peter Wood RM brought up P Tp to help consolidate the position after the death of Capt Haydon. News of the death of Capt Haydon spread quickly throughout 41 RM Cdo and many expressed their sadness at the news of the loss of this very popular and gallant young officer.

Capt Haydpn and Mne Moses were buried in Domburg Cemetery with other casualties from 41 RM Cdo with almost all ranks of the unit in attendance; they were later reinterred in adjacent graves at the British Military cemetery at Bergen-Op-Zoom. They are commemorated on the 41 RM Commando Memorial at Domburg, where there are also memorials to 4 and 5 Tps from 10 (I-A) Cdo too.

During the action, Corporal Frank Lewis Nightingale of Y Tp won the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his courage. His Bren Gun malfunctioned so he seized a German MG34 and used this to drive the enemy back. After a while the enemy reorganised and mounted a determined counter attack but Cpl Nightingale single-handedly drove them off and forced them to take cover, whilst the remnants of his own section advanced to join him.