CWGC thanks to Spink & Son Ltd for this story.

Robert Arthur Montgomery was born in 1912, the son of Robert Arthur and Anne Montgomery of Miles Platting, Manchester.

During the Second World War he served with the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment. Montgomery would surely have shared in the Battalion’s famous action at s’Hertogensbosch in October 1944.

They were initially tasked to hold a section of the corridor to Nijmegan, defending an area near St Oedenrode. The 53rd Division was then ordered north to capture the important route centre of s’Hertogenbosch on the Lower Maas.

The East Lancashire’s played a particularly distinguished part in this battle, leading a daring night infiltration attack on the 23rd/24th October and then participating in four days of heavy street fighting before the town was cleared.

The Battalion subsequently held defensive positions west of the Maas.

The previous days they had shared in the Battle for the Reichswald Forest, during which bayonet charges had to be employed to clear the fierce enemy resistance.

The original recommendation for an immediate award of the Military Medal - signed off by Field Marshal Montgomery - states: ‘On 7 January 1945, during the attack on Grimbiemont, C.S.M. Montgomery’s company came under exceedingly heavy enemy artillery and mortar fire which inflicted very severe losses.

'Shortly after crossing the start line, all Officer Platoon Commanders and the Company Second-in-Charge had become casualties. The Company was reduced in strength to some 25 odd men.

'Without regard to his personal safety, and quite oblivious to the continuous heavy enemy fire of all kinds, C.S.M. Montgomery ran about across the snow in full view of the enemy and re-organised the remainder of the Company into one platoon. 

'Then under the Company Commander [Major Cetre], he personally led this small force in the face of enemy fire, until they were firmly established on the first objective. Two Germans were killed and three prisoners were taken at this point.

'Later in the battle, he led his small force forward again and attacked the Western end of the village, which was the original company objective. This position was still holding out with enemy infantry and at least one tank.

'C.S.M. Montgomery quickly laid on a plan for an attack from the flank, and, using the platoon’s own weapons only, he succeeded in forcing the tank to withdraw hastily to the East. This determined manoeuvre at the same time routed the enemy infantry and resulted in a further three prisoners being taken from the position.

'C.S.M. Montgomery’s behaviour in most difficult and trying conditions was a tonic to all ranks of the Company. Wherever he went he spread cheerfulness and encouragement.

'His high standard of personal conduct and discipline under very heavy and sustained fire made it certain that, in spite of every difficulty, his company would not fail to attain its objective.’

Robert Montgomery was killed in action at the battle of Bocholt on 28 March 1945. The History of the East Lancashire Regiment in the War 1939-1945 gives more detail of his death during the Battle for Bocholt:

‘Just prior to reaching their objective, an enemy shell landed right in the middle of 'A' Company H.Q., killing C.S.M. Montgomery, M.M., and two men, while the Coy. Commander, Major Cetre, M.C. and several others, were severely wounded.'

Montgomery's award of the Military Medal was confirmed on 12 April 1945. His grave was moved to its permanent resting place in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery in December 1946.