"Major Sam Paske, who has died aged 94, was a gunner officer who was awarded an MC in the last 10 days of the war in Europe. On April 26 1945 Paske was acting as a Gunner observation post (OP) with 55 (West Somerset Yeomanry) Field Regiment RA (55 FR). The regiment was supporting a forward group of Scots and Welsh Guards in an attack on Badenstedt, north-east of Bremen. On the approach to the town, the leading troops came under very heavy mortar, machine-gun and artillery fire from the enemy on high ground. Despite the threat of panzerfausts and self-propelled anti-tank guns, Paske moved his tank off the road and into a field. He was stationary, in the open and in full view of the enemy, but this was the only position from which he could observe properly. He came under heavy shelling and machine-gun fire at once, but he ranged his guns on to the target as calmly and efficiently as if he was on an exercise before calling down fire so effectively that the Germans were forced to pull back. The next day, Paske accompanied the leading troop of the Welsh Guards Tanks in an attack on Kirchtimke. Within 300 yards of their objective, the tanks immediately in front and behind him blew up on mines. He took his tank off the road and across country to the outskirts of the town. When he came under shelling and machine-gun fire, he engaged an enemy OP concealed in a wood in front of him and the firing ceased. He was awarded an Immediate MC. The citation for the award paid tribute to his courage, coolness and skill, stating that he had saved many casualties and greatly assisted the Scots and Welsh Guards group to achieve their objectives. The son of Colonel Charles Paske, an officer in the 23rd (Prince Albert Victor’s Own) Light Cavalry, Punjab Frontier Force, Gresham Stuart Edward Paske was born in Simla, India, on September 14 1921. Always known as Sam, aged six he returned to Britain, and was eventually educated at Monkton Combe School, Somerset, where he was in the hockey 1st XI. In 1939 he enlisted in the 10th Bn The Devonshire Regiment. After Octu at Larkhill, he was commissioned into the Royal Artillery and posted to 52 Field Regiment RA (52 FR)." http://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2016/09/22/major-sam-paske-gunner-officer--obituary/
