Anthony Oldham

«On the morning of 25th March 1941, before CHERIN, the enemy, about 100 strong, all Italians, counter-attacked FLAT TOP and effected a lodgement on the near end of the feature. Captain Oldham, who had been ordered forward, displayed outstanding qualities of leadership, duty and initiative. He organised about thirty men of the Bn. porterage Company in his vicinity, and personally led them up FLAT TOP, and attacked the enemy in flank with the bayonet, driving them off the hill, killing several and capturing one Italian Officer and twelve Italian Other Ranks. He himself shot at least one Italian at close quarters and returned covered in blood and remains of one of his assailants. This prompt and gallant action on the part of Captain Oldham undoubtedly saved a very critical situation and enabled the battalion to regain control of the vital feature of FLAT TOP.»
— London Gazette, 18 July 1941

«Before GAZALA, 22-26 Febr. 42, Captain Oldham led the party which penetrated the enemy's position to raid the ALG. at MARTUBA. He covered approx. 50 miles across country patrolled by enemy A.F.Vs. on the outward journey and reached his objective according to plan. Unfavourable conditions on the first night compelled him to lie up in close proximity to the enemy ALG. until the following night. Three enemy aircraft and a bomb dump were destroyed under the nose of the enemy guards. Captain Oldham succeeded in bringing his party back to his unit despite increased enemy control activity on the return journey. Such a successful raid called for a high standard of courage, leadership and endurance in its commander.»
— London Gazette, 23 April 1942

«This officer was captured at TOBRUK in Jun 42 and after one unsuccessful attempt to escape was released by the Italian Military Authorities on 10 Sep 43 and immediately forced into hiding in the GARFAGNANA area. He at once set about organising, recruiting and training the patriot forces in this area, and through his ceaseless untiring energy was successful in building up a substantial partisan force which became known as the LUNENSE Division, numbering some 1,000 men. From the beginning of Jun 44, the forces under his command and at his direction commanded a series of highly successful operations against enemy lines of communication and at least 1,000 enemy were accounted for as a result during the period that Capt. OLDHAM was in command of these forces. His outstanding leadership and ability to face up to every hardship is amply evidenced by the fact that the area in which this partisan force was organised and led is one of the poorest areas in ITALY and had been entirely denuded of food supplies by the enemy, but despite this Capt. OLDHAM succeeded in keeping his forces united, armed and happy until they were finally forced to disband at the end of November 44 on account of the weakness and ill health of his forces caused by starvation. On 27 Nov 44, Captain OLDHAM personally led a force which was to occupy MONTE SASSI (1005) in the rear of the CASTELNUOVO - MASSA axis in tactical co-operation with units of the FIFTH ARMY. Due to the difficulties of terrain and the weather, only 60 of the 200 men under his orders for this operation arrived at the assembly point, but despite this and fully realising that the attacks on these two places were of vital consequence to the FIFTH ARMY, he decided to carry on his attack with these small forces. The peak on SASSI fell 2 December in the face of strong GERMAN opposition, but MONTE D'ANIMA was occupied by the partisans and held for 4 days until he was compelled to withdraw owing to the failure of the advanced elements of the FIFTH ARMY to make contact, and under severe pressure by the counter-attacks of GERMAN Companies supported by heavy mortar fire. During the whole period that Captain OLDHAM was operating in enemy occupied territory he was fully aware of the possibilities of penetrating through the enemy lines and reaching the Allied lines, but of his own free will he elected to remain and fight with the forces which he had organised, totally disregarding his own safety, until these forces were finally forced to disband at the end of November, when he made his way successfully through to the Allied lines. Captain OLDHAM's outstanding leadership, unfailing courage and devotion to duty during the months spent by him in enemy occupied territory of his own free will are deserving the fullest recognition..»
— London Gazette, 2 August 1945