THE VICTORIA CROSS AWARDED TO PRIVATE GEORGE MITCHELL, LONDON SCOTTISH ( GORDON HIGHLANDERS ), HAS BEEN PLACED INTO THE CARE OF THE REGIMENTAL MUSEUM IN LONDON |
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15 March 2006 |
In March 2006 George Mitchell's nephew came to an agreement with his old regiment, the London Scottish ( Gordon Highlanders ), where they would purchase the George Mitchell Victoria Cross group for the sum of £150,000, the money going towards providing a mobile classroom with job search facilities that will also be used to provide computer training located at the George Mitchell School. At a ceremony held at the Regimental Headquarters of the London Scottish Regiment, the Victoria Cross awarded to Private George Mitchell was handed over to the regimental museum by the Headmistress of the George Mitchell Secondary School. The officials attending the ceremony were:
For the award of the Victoria Cross [ London Gazette, 10 August 1944 ], Damiano Ridge, Italy, 23 - 24 January 1944, Private George Allan Mitchell, 1st Bn, London Scottish ( Gordon Highlanders ).
In Italy on the night of 23rd and 24th January 1944, a Company of the London Scottish was ordered to carry out a local attack to restore the situation on a portion of the main Damiano ridge. The Company attacked with two platoons forward and a composite platoon of London Scottish and Royal Berkshires in reserve. The Company Commander was wounded in the very early stages of the attack. The only other officer with the Company was wounded soon afterwards. A section of this Company was ordered by the Platoon Commander to carry out a right flanking movement against some enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance. Almost as soon as he had issued the order, he was killed. There was no Platoon Sergeant. The section itself consisted of a Lance Corporal and three men, who were shortly joined by Private Mitchell, the 2-inch mortarmen from Platoon Headquarters and another private.
George Mitchell is buried in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Minturno War Cemetery ( also known as the New Military Cemetery, Sessa Arunca ) overlooking the Garigliano River and Damiano Mountains, which he had done so much to capture.
Medal entitlement of Private George Mitchell - 1st Bn, London Scottish ( Gordon Highlanders )
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Iain Stewart, 15 March 2006