Sergeant L. V. Berridge, MM; Waiatua, North Auckland; born NZ 22 Dec 1914; blacksmith and farmer; wounded 29 Mar 1944. (Source: Cody, J.F. NZ Engineers, Middle East. p.698.)

'Lieutenant Harvey (No. 3 Platoon, 8 Field Company) continued a record of river crossing that had begun at Cassino by so encouraging his men to ignore spasmodic interference that their drum and fascine project was ready with both sides dozed at 1 a.m. He then organised a party to tape and minelift two routes across country for about 400 yards to a good metalled road. He also shared the next honours list with an MC.

The building party from No. 1 Platoon had the earthworks ready by 1 a.m. in spite of heavy harassing fire which Sergeant Berridge, in charge of the job, did not allow to interfere with progress. There was some delay while waiting for a replacement for a truck that an unlucky shall had wrecked, killing the driver and wounding two others. Shelling in the area was heavy at the time and there was some confusion in the RASC bridge train, but Berridge got control and soon had the components moving again. He worked with his team and held them together through a rather bad time until the bridge was finished at 4 a.m. on the 15th with one NZ casualty. For this and previous displays of courage and coolness Sergeant Berridge was awarded an MM.' (Source: Cody, J.F. NZ Engineers, Middle East. p. 698.) AWMM