208170 Mjr. Herbert Noel Wallace MC.British Army 5th Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment from:Ireland (d.6th Jun 1945) I know little of my Great Uncle's war and am keen to find out more. Herbert Wallace won his Military Cross for action in North Africa on March 23rd whilst commanding C Company. His citation reads:
"During March 23rd, 1943, Major Wallace was in command of a battalion of the East Yorkshire Regiment which was holding a forward sector of the capture enemy locality of Ksiba Quest. During the day the locality was attacked twice by infantry and several times by tanks and was subjected to repeated and heavy shelling. Major Wallace displayed great courage and resource in dealing with several difficult situations. On one occasion a party of infantry penetrated the trench system of the defences; he immediately organised a counter-attack which successfully threw the enemy out. On another occasion, when orders were received to withdraw the garrison, Major Wallace was ordered to lead and direct the withdrawal through enemy positions. This he did with great skill and coolness, leading the force through an enemy minefield containing anti-personnel mines and through fierce artillery and machine-gun fire with but slight casualties. Throughout the entire operation Major Wallace was a splendid example and inspiration to his men. He remained cool and cheerful when the situation was most serious, and it was to a great extent due to his effort that the defence remained unbroken and the withdrawal was successfully carried out."
This is all I know of the man - a single day in his life of 28 years. He died on April 6th, two weeks later.
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