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ground under intense re towards a group of houses where three MG

42 machine-guns were lodged. So determined was his charge that

the enemy soldiers were demoralized and six gunners surrendered,

and the rest ed. Hunter cleared the house, changing magazines as

he ran and continued to draw enemy re until most of the troop had

reached cover, Hunter was killed, ring accurately to the last. Danish

national, Major Anders Lassen of the Special Boat Service (SBS) was

also awarded a VC posthumously in the same action.

Citation

Cpl Thomas Hunter’s VC citation in the London Gazette of 12 June

1945 reads:

ADMIRALTY. Whitehall 12 June 1945.

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of

the VICTORIA CROSS for valour to: —

The late Corporal (Temporary) Thomas Peck HUNTER, CH/X.

110296, Royal Marines (attached Special Service Troops) (43rd

Royal Marine Commando) (Edinburgh).

In Italy during the advance by the Commando to its nal objective,

Corporal Hunter of “C” Troop was in charge of a Bren group of the

leading sub-section of the Commando. Having advanced to within

400 yards of the canal, he observed the enemy were holding a

group of houses South of the canal. Realising that his Troop behind

him were in the open, as the country there was completely devoid

of cover, and that the enemy would cause heavy casualties as