Bombardier W. Roberts, MM; Auckland; born Auckland, 31 May 1921; nurseryman. (Source: Murphy, W.E. 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery. p.707.)

'At the height of the action in the afternoon, when enemy fire at the Santerno bridgeheads was heavy, the maintenance of communications called for courageous effort on the part of signallers of the mortar battery and the field regiments. In the 6th Field, for example, Major Hanna pushed his 29 Battery OP well forward to a house 400 yards from the enemy to bring down neutralising fire on weapons holding up the advance of 24 Battalion on the left. Fire on the neighbourhood became so heavy that nearby tanks withdrew. This seemed to attract attention to the house itself and at least seven direct hits were scored on it by shells and mortars. Hanna's OP vehicle was a Honey tank chassis with no ‘top cover’ against this fire. It was parked against the house, and in it Lance-Bombardier Roberts25 ‘cheerfully and without complaint’ (as Hanna later wrote) transmitted vital fire orders until the enemy fire was subdued. Roberts gained an immediate MM. Bombardier W. Roberts, MM; Auckland; born Auckland, 31 May 1921; nurseryman.' (Source: Murphy, W.E. 2nd NZ Divisional Artillery. p. 707.) AWMM