Lieutenant P. J. Kane, MM; Hamilton; born Westport, 16 Mar 1913; school teacher; twice wounded. (Source: Burdon, R.M. 24 Battalion. p.210.)

'It was well that all possible defensive precautions had been taken without delay, for scarcely had the hotel position been consolidated when the enemy counter-attacked twice in quick succession. The second of these assaults was beaten off only with difficulty, and 18 Platoon came forward to reinforce 16 Platoon. Sergeants Kane and Williams conducted the defence with skill and courage, and the indomitable Robertshawe crawled back to their assistance, despite the pain of his wounded leg. A third attack was beaten off early in the afternoon (1 December), after which the enemy contented himself by shelling the hotel heavily with mortars. Before long the building began to crumble and the defenders were obliged to withdraw from its upper story. At dusk the shelling died down. Nothing further happened during the night, but enemy motor transport could be heard continually moving along the road.

Italy Volume 1 - The other leading platoon, No. 16, advanced directly uphill. On the way it disposed of two German posts, of which civilians had given warning, and on reaching the brow of the hill saw and occupied a large building near the main road and on the eastern edge of Castelfrentano. Since the approach to the town was swept by mortar and small-arms fire, the platoon was ordered to hold the building, which proved to be a hotel, as a fortress. Two prompt enemy attempts to gain admission were repulsed, but the little garrison, thinned by casualties, needed help. Help it received from 18 Platoon, dashing in under fire. Under Sergeant Kane, this force beat off a third and last counter-attack early in the afternoon. Thereafter until dusk the hotel became a target for the German artillery whose many hits on the building forced our men to abandon the vista of the upper stories for the ground floor. Between dusk and one o'clock the next morning machine-gunners of the German rearguard took up the ‘hate’. D Company lost three men killed and twelve wounded.' (Source: Burdon, R.M. 24 Battalion. p. 210.; Phillips, N.C. Italy Volume I: The Sangro to Cassino. p. 79.) AWMM