Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Corporal

Unit:

Headquarters Company, 1st Parachute Battalion, 1st Parachute Brigade, 1st Airborne Division, British Army

Awarded on:

November 9th, 1944

Awarded for:

Operation Market Garden

Citation:
"During the airborne operations at Arnhem, September 17th-25th 1944, this NCO showed outstanding bravery and dash. On the night of the 18th/19th September, collecting together under great difficulties the remnants of his Platoon, he took command of 18 men and henceforth throughout the action controlled them as a solid, offensive, fighting force.

On the morning of the 20th September the Battalion was forced to withdraw across open ground from a street position which had been set on fire by the enemy. Corporal Lunt insisted on staying with 5 of his men and a Bren gun to cover this difficult withdrawal. He chose a good field of fire and halted the enemy at the peak of their advance, killing many of them. This action enabled the Battalion to withdraw in good time to proper new positions. Having expended all his ammunition Corporal Lunt led his men back, being wounded en route.

In this action he gave a magnificent example of coolness and disregard of danger and, at all times, inspired his men with a fighting spirit of the highest order."