A 1943 Canadian Mm Group To Gunner Hansen Who Crossed The River Savio Under Heavy Fire

Second War MM Group of Seven, Gunner Valentine William "Bill" Henry Hansen, 3rd Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery: Military Medal, George VI (M.3246 GNR. V.W.H. HANSEN. R.C.A.); 1939-1945 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp; and War Medal 1939-1945. Naming is officially impressed on the MM, the remaining six awards are un-named as issued. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, replacement ribbons, very light contact, near extremely fine. Accompanied by copies of his Military Medal Recommendation from the National Archives, Awards Cards, Service Records and Discharge Certificate, along with an overall map of Italy, two maps of the Adriatic Sector (25 August, 1944 - 25 February, 1945), and a 134 page printout entitled "History of the 3rd Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, September 1939 to July 1945".

Footnote: Valentine William "Bill" Henry Hansen enlisted as Gunner (M-3246) at No. 13 District Depot, Canadian Army (Royal Canadian Artillery) in Calgary, Alberta, on May 31, 1940. A week later, he was transferred to Royal Canadian Artillery Training Company at Military District No. 10 in Winnipeg, Manitoba on June 6th. After seven months' training, Gunner Hansen embarked Halifax, Nova Scotia on December 14, 1940, disembarking in Glasgow, Scotland on Christmas Day, December 25th and upon arrival, was posted to 1 Canadian Artillery Holding Unit. Three and half weeks after arriving in Scotland, he was transferred to No. 1 Signals Holding Unit on January 17, 1941. Seven weeks later,Hansen was transferred to the 3rd Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery on March 7, 1941, where he qualified as a Regimental Signaller on February 27, 1942, as a Regimental Signaller (Artillery) on October 9, 1942 and as a Signaller (Artillery) Group "C" on May 28, 1943. Three and a half weeks after his last qualification and two and a half years after arriving in the United Kingdom, Gunner Hansen embarked for the Italian theatre on June 14, 1943, arriving in Italy on July 10th. Gunner Valentine William "Bill" Henry Hansen, 3rd Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery was recommended for the Military Medal, for actions taken on October 19, 1944, fifteen months after he arrived in Italy, his recommendation reading as follows: "On the 19 Oct, 1944, the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry established a bridgehead over the River PISCIATELLO for the advance of 1 Canadian Division from the River RUBICON to the River SAVIO. M-3246 Gunner Vallentine (sic) William Henry HANSON (sic) was a wireless operator for the Forward Observation Officer attached to the Battalion from 3 Canadian Field Regiment, and operating with "B" Company. This Company, after crossing the PISCIATELLO, had reached MR 633091 when heavy enemy resistance was encountered from the positions along the CESENA - CERVIA road. The advance had now become known to the enemy, and the whole area was subject to heavy shell fire, mortar and small arms fire. It was therefore essential to bring down neutralizing fire on the enemy positions to enable the advance to continue. Radio communication with the gun positions failed. Gunner HANSON (sic), although realizing the danger of this task, immediately volunteered to take the information back to Tactical Headquarters at MR 626073. He crossed two miles of ground subjected to the enemy's shell and small fire, and gave the information for the fire plan, as a result of which the Battalion was able to continue the advance. The following day when the forward company reached the River SAVIO an Observation Post was established at MR 591109. The area was under direct enemy observation and harassed by small arms fire during the crossing of the river. Later the enemy engaged the area with tank, nebelwerfer (smoke mortar) and artillery fire, the bombardment increasing in intensity as the operation developed. The closet support by artillery fire was an essential factor to the success of this operation. Although the radio vehicle was several times it by splinters, Gunner HANSON (sic) refused to leave his post, nor would he consent to set up a ground station in a more covered position as he feared that the movement of his set might jeopardize the excellent communication already established with the gun position. He remained at his set for forty-eight hours, keeping it in continuous operation and enabling decisive artillery fire to be brought down, materially assisting in the breaking up of at least two counter attacks. Gunner HANSON's (sic) bravery and devotion to duty during a long period under unusually heavy enemy fire were of the highest order. By his actions he enabled the engagement of the targets which forced a hasty withdrawal of the enemy from the CESENA - CERVIA road and supported the establishment and maintenance of a bridgehead over the SAVIO. Without this continual artillery support the advance of the Brigade up to and beyond the River SAVIO would undoubtedly have been seriously delayed.", the recommendation stamped "GRANTED AN IMMEDIATE MM" and signed by "H.R. Alexander FIELD MARSHAL" (Field Marshal Harold Rupert Leofric George Alexander, 1st Earl Alexander of Tunis, KG GCB OM GCMG CSI DSO MC CD PC PC (December 10, 1891 - June 16, 1969), a senior officer of the British Army who served with distinction in both the First and Second World Wars and, afterwards, as Governor General of Canada, the 17th since Canadian Confederation). The announcement for his award of the Military Medal appeared in the Supplement to the London Gazette 37072 of Tuesday, May 8, on Thursday, May 10, 1945, page 2454: "Government House, Canberra, 3rd, March, 1945. THE CANADIAN ARMY. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following award in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy: The Military Medal. No. M 3246 Gunner Valentine William Henry HANSEN, Royal Canadian Artillery". The announcement of the award also appeared in the Canada Gazette No. 9, Volume 28 of Saturday, March 3, 1945. Hansen was promoted to Lance-Bombardier on February 14, 1945 and embarked Italy one month after the promotion, on March 14, 1945, disembarking in France on March 16th. He was promoted to Acting Bombardier on May 4, 1945 and confirmed in the rank of Bombardier on July 25, 1945. Shortly thereafter, he returned to Canada and was posted to Military District No. 6 in Halifax from August 19th to September 17th. Bombardier Gunner Valentine William "Bill" Henry Hansen, 3rd Canadian Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery was discharged from active service, at No. 11 District Depot in Vancouver British Columbia, on September 26, 1945, credited with having served in Canada, the United Kingdom, the Central Mediterranean Area and Continental Europe. For his Second World War service, he was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, the Italy Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal, Canadian Volunteer Service Medal with Overseas Clasp and the War Medal 1939-1945.Hansen re-enlisted with the 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, on September 21, 1950, for service during the Korean War period. One year later, he was appointed Acting Bombardier on September 13, 1951 and was confirmed in the rank on December 1, 1951. He qualified as a Driver on January 17, 1952 and was appointed Acting Sergeant on April 1, 1952, but reverted to Bombardier on July 1, 1953. He died on July 2, 2001. (C:14)