The Second World War Advance through Italy Bridge Construction Platoon Sergeant’s Military Medal group awarded to Sergeant O.M.V. Price, 558th Field Company, Royal Engineers, formerly a Private in the 13th Kensington Battalion, London Regiment. From Fulham, London, he was in the Territorial Army during the 1920’s when with the Kensingtons, and with the outbreak of the war, he re-joined the Territorials with the Royal Engineers. During the advance through Italy when operating in support of the 8th Army, he was a Platoon Sergeant, being also a skilled stone mason, and employed in bridging work. When his Platoon was under shell-fire, on several occasions, during the construction of Forli bridges, his coolness, courage and example so inspired his men that in spite of hazardous conditions the bridges were open at the required time. Further to this, during the repair and restoration of the Polish Route from Brisighella forward, his Platoon was subjected to mortar fire, almost daily for a fortnight. Price so organised his work and men that the task went forward in the minimum time, without loss of either men or vehicles.
Group of 6: Military Medal, GVI 1st type bust; (1879778 SJT. O.M.V. PRICE. R.E.) 1939-1945 Star; Africa Star with 1st Army Clasp; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal.
Condition: Good Very Fine.
Owen Morgan Vivian Price was born on 10 December 1905 in Fulham, London. Price was working as an apprentice to a stone mason and living in Fulham when he attested for service with the Territorial Army at Kensington on 12 June 1923, and joining as a Private (No.6653648) the 13th Kensington Battalion, London Regiment. Appointed to unpaid Lance Corporal on 11 December 1925, he was discharged on completion of four years service on 11 June 1927.
Having gone on to work as a mason whilst continuing to live in Fulham, owing to the Second World War, Price re-enlisted into the Territorial Army at Acton on 6 January 1940, joining as a Sapper (No.1879778) the Royal Engineers. He was by then married with four children. On completion of his training he was posted to 55th Field Company on 3 June 1940 before being transferred to the 558th Field Company on 18 August 1940, with which he was serving when appointed to acting unpaid Lance Corporal on 4 October 1940. From 3 October 1940 he was classified as a mason, and was promoted to acting Corporal on 8 December 1940 and to acting paid Lance Sergeant on 31 May 1941.
Price was finally posted overseas to North Africa from 14 March 1943 when still part of the 558th Field Company. Promoted to Acting Sergeant on 16 October 1943, and then saw service in Italy when operating in support of the 8th Army on bridge constriction work. As the war in Europe came to an end, Price found himself recommended for a periodical award of the Military Medal on 19 April 1945.
The recommendation reads as follows: ‘This Non Commissioned Officer has carried out his duties as Platoon Sergeant with the utmost zeal and efficiency and has displayed very high powers of leadership. When his Platoon was under shell-fire, on several occasions, during the construction of Forli bridges, his coolness, courage and example so inspired his men that in spite of hazardous conditions the bridges were open at the required time. During the repair and restoration of the Polish Route from Brisighella forward, this Platoon was subjected to mortar fire, almost daily for a fortnight. Sergeant Price so organised his work and men that the task went forward in the minimum time, without loss of either men or vehicles.’
Price’s award of the Military Medal was published in the London Gazette for 28 June 1945. Posted home from 12 September 1945, he was transferred to the Army Reserve on 11 September 1945 and discharged on 8 December 1945.
