Military Cross medal group awarded to Captain J K Illingworth, Duke of Wellington's Regiment

Medal group (from left to right): Military Cross 1945; 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star 1944-45; Defence Medal 1939-45; British War Medal 1939-45; Croix de Guerre, France, 1944.

John Knox Illingworth (1914-1957) was commissioned into the Duke of Wellington's Regiment in December 1940. He was awarded the Croix de Guerre for service in France and the Military Cross for gallantry during the break out from Arnhem on 17 April 1945, where as commander of a carrier platoon he led a successful advance on the enemy through difficult and dangerous terrain. After the capture of Wageningen, while leading a patrol of four carrier crews, Captain Illingworth was injured when a mine blew up his carrier, throwing him 18 metres onto his head. Despite this, having organised the rescue of the wounded and salvaged their equipment, he refused to turn back and continued the patrol on foot, setting an inspiring example to his platoon.