Edward Ashley risked his life to save the men in his unit during the Second World War
In the winter of 1944, Captain Edward Ashley risked his life crossing a treacherous mountain pass in the Alps to find food for his stranded men.
EDWARD Ashley plays down an example of his bravery in the Second World War, even though his gallantry was, by then, so renowned he had been made an MBE. "It was just a day's work," said the 95-year-old, who lives in Abbotsleigh Mews Residental and Nursing Home, Sidcup.
But his "day's work" was a remarkable act of courage, which is likely to have saved the lives of the men serving under his command and just one example of the gallantry he showed during the war for which he was honoured.
It was Christmas 1944 and Mr Ashley, known as John, was posted in the Italian Alps with his unit, 25 Tank Brigade
Workshops.
He signed up with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers after the Second World War broke out, and his unit was tasked with salvaging damaged tanks from battle fields, while trying to avoid enemy fire.
They were sent to the east coast of Italy where they worked their way north.
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"We were posted to a small village high up in the mountains in the lower northern part of Italy," said Mr Ashley, who lived in Abbeywood before being posted to Italy.
Shortly after Christmas they received the signal to make their way to Viterbo, on the west coast, where they were to be posted until April.
Edwards Ashley was made an MBE and received a letter from King, George VI BE10758
"The weather was very bad, lots of snow and ice about," said Mr Ashley.
"Starting out of the village across a mountain pass, we went down to a low road about 30 miles away which was at the foot of another mountain."
They formed a convoy and set off. But although the front section reached Viterbo later that day, the back section, made up of heavy vehicles and damaged tanks, made slow progress.
By the time they arrived at the village it was early evening, and the mountain pass to Viterbo was closed due to bad conditions.
Realising they were stranded he pleaded with the military police, who had shut it, to let him make the risky journey.
"I got the men settled in all sorts of out buildings in the village," he said. "Then I said to the police, I've got to go and get some food for everybody. The only place I can go is Viterbo.'
"It was something that had to be done."
They relented and he and another man set off, taking it in turns at the wheel of the jeep to negotiate the winding path.
He said: "If you skid, you could go over the side. We were several thousand feet up."
The following day they returned to the village - to the huge relief of the men. But the terrible conditions meant it was another ten days before they could leave
Mr Ashley made contact with another army unit in the area, who supplied them with more food.
On the eleventh day he was finally able to lead the men safely to Viterbo. Though when they arrived they discovered one of the vehicles was missing and he had to go back several miles to where it had broken down.
He received his MBE in the post rather than at Buckingham Palace because King George VI was away. Though it was sent with a note from the king, dated February 12, 1947, which reads:"I greatly regret that I am unable to give you personally the award which you have so well earned."
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