Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Company Quartermaster Sergeant

Awarded on:

December 22nd, 1945

"During the heaviest fighting in the attack on PUTTE, HOLLAND on 4th October 1944, the two leading platoons of “A” Company, The Essex Scottish Regiment ran into stiff enemy opposition in the northwest part of the town. Owing to the confused nature of the fighting at the time, artillery fire could not be called down.
Company Quartermaster Sergeant (then Sergeant) BELLAND, was ordered by “A” Company Commander to take his section of anti-tank guns and fire point blank as rapidly as possible at the enemy position. Sergeant BELLAND succeeded in getting his guns forward to a position within three hundred yards of the enemy. From this exposed position under intense enemy small arms fire he brought very strong fire to bear on the enemy. The action was as skilful as it was gallant, and the surprising weight of the antitank gun fire brought down by Sergeant BELLAND caused the enemy to retreat in hasty confusion allowing the infantry to close on the town with very few casualties."

Royal decree no. 2, dd. 8-12-1945