Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

2 Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, British Army

Awarded on:

May 10th, 1945

Citation:
"On 14th October 1944, Lieutenant Briggs-Fish was commanding a Platoon in B Company 2 L.F. The Company was ordered to attack C.Casino and the spur running south from that point.

Lieutenant Briggs-Fish was leading Platoon and led his Platoon with great skill and daring along a wadi for about 700yds, despite heavy and accurate mortar fire. He then succeeded in getting his Platoon up a steep cliff face approximately 40 feet high, and carried out the assault on C.Casino. The Platoon succeeded in reaching the top but then came under heavy and accurate Machine-gun fire from three sides and after inflicting casualties on the enemy had to withdraw slightly, suffering casualties in the process.

Despite the very heavy fire and showing great initiative and personal courage, Lieutenant Briggs-Fish, rallied his men, and made several attempts to get forward, each time coming under very heavy fire. Despite this he refused to give ground until ordered to withdraw in the evening. The withdrawal necessitated moving across several hundred yards of country covered by enemy fire, and the descent of the cliff, but despite this, Lieutenant Briggs-Fish not only succeeded in withdrawing his Platoon, but also brought back all the wounded 6 in all.

Throughout the entire action this officer showed complete disregard for his own safety; and initiative and drive of the highest order. It was entirely due to his personal example and superb leadership that the Platoon and all the wounded were extracted from a most difficult position."