Captain Timothy Clement Lindsay-Peto MC Military Cross

Service Number 219062

Campaign:

World War 2

Died:

24.4.1945

1SG
Aged 24
Buried at Argenta Gap War Cemetery, Italy. I, E, 22
Son of Maj. R. H. Peto
Tim Peto was born in London to parents Major Ralph Peto and Ruby Lindsay; they were divorced in 1923. Ruby Lindsay was cousin to Violet Manners (daughter of Duke of Rutland) who married Guy Benson, which helps to explain his connection to Compton Bassett; at the time war broke out Tim and his sister were registered as living at Compton Bassett House with the Benson family.

His mother Ruby reverted to her maiden name of Lindsay in 1926 and Tim used Lindsay-Peto from about this time. He was educated at Eton College from 1934– 1939 and the family lived at 23 Connaught Square, London. On leaving Eton Tim joined the Scots Guards and late in 1941 he was promoted from 2nd Lieutenant to War Substantive Lieutenant. By 1943 he was posted to North Africa and was wounded on 29 April. Recovered, and now a full lieutenant, he was sent with British and American forces to establish a beachhead at Anzio, Italy. During this campaign, on 10th February 1944, he was recommended for a gallantry award. On 21st February he is recorded as being injured again

Military Cross Citation- In the Carroceto area (south of Rome, near the coast) on the morning of February 10th, Lieut Lindsay-Peto’s company was surrounded after an enemy night attack. The fifty survivors being of no further use to our defence, were ordered to fight their way through to the rest of the Battalion. This involved crossing 500 yards of open ground under direct fire from tanks and machine guns on either flank and breaking through an enemy company that was occupying the station. Lieut Lindsay-Peto led the leading platoon with great dash and gallantry. After 50 yards they surprised a German platoon in a ditch and this officer leapt straight in with his revolver and those of the enemy who were not killed, surrendered. Leaving one man to bring on the prisoners, Lieut Lindsay-Peto led the way up the ditch, surprising and overwhelming two more small parties of the enemy. As they reached the station a German officer jumped up from a dugout and tried to fire his rifle – however it jammed, and Lieut Lindsay-Peto, whose revolver had also jammed, rushed at him and tackled him. While they were struggling on the ground, the platoon Sgt who was some distance away, arrived and finished off the half-strangled German officer with his tommy gun. Lieut Lindsay-Peto then continued the rush through the enemy position and finally joined the Battalion with very few casualties among his platoon. The success of this seemingly impossible operation which was carried out in broad daylight was largely due to the very great dash and bravery of this officer. The speed with which he led his platoon and dealt with every German in their path completely demoralised the enemy, and so the remnants of a company which seemed to face almost certain annihilation were able to rejoin the Battalion at a time when reinforcements were desperately needed.

Granted an immediate MC, signed General H.R. Alexander, Commander in Chief, Allied Central Mediterranean Force.