Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Acting Sergeant

Unit:

No.11 Platoon, "B" Company, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

November 16th, 1944

Recommendation:
On 23 May 1944, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infanry was ordered to penetrate and capture a sector of the Adolf Hitler Line in the area of Map Reference 7419. "B" Company was ordered to advance and consolidate on the right flank. Corporal Snell was Section Commander of 3 Section, 11 Platoon of his company.
His Platoon Commander was killed during the attack and the platoon was badly disorganized in front of a belt of mined wire. Corporal Snell took command and under heavy accurate fire from small arms, ran from man to man rallying the platoon, and allotting positions. Having reorganized his force, Corporal Snell noticed that his men were suffering casualties from sniper fire. Observing movement in a tree to his front, Corporal Snell ran forward close across ground covered by deadly fire, a distance of 30 yards, located two snipers up a tree, and standing cooly in the open, shot down the two Germans with his Tommy machine gun.
Before returning to his position Corporal Snell was fired at by another sniper on his right. He advanced alone through the same fire and killed this enemy.
By his action Corporal Snell undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades and contributed to the advance of his company. His bravery and initiative were of the highest order.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 November, 1944.