J J A Griffin

[shred]

A Monton sergeant’s gallant action in saving several of his colleagues from injury by smothering a grenade explosion with his foot, has won him the British Empire Medal (Military Divison). He is Sergeant J J A Griffin, 3 Francis St, Monton, and formerly of St Mary’s St, Eccles. On D Day plus 16 his battalion landed from assault craft on the Normandy beaches, they moved up ready for the attack Caen, and it was on July 8th during this attack that the incident took place. The grenade which Sergeant Griffin was priming fell on the ground and the detonator ignited. With great presence of mind he put his foot on the grenade to shield his comrades from the explosion. The action cost him his left foot, and he sustained injuries to the other. When told of the award he said “I think my action was one which anybody in the same circumstances would have done.”