5568932 Serjeant Maurice Albert Wyndham Rogers VC., MM
KIA 3rd June 1944, Anzio - Age 25
Buried at Beach Head War Cemetary, Anzio, Italy
"Sgt Rogers was not born a Wiltshireman. He was born in Bristol and enlisted in the Wiltshire Regiment in 1934 at the age of 14. He was a Drummer Boy. He was part of the Battalion team which won the Inter Unit Young Soldier's Championship and in the years before the War he was a member of the Battalion athletic Team, as a sprinter. In France he was a Corporal in the drums. In 1941, he was promoted Sergeant and became Platton Sergeant of the Carrier Platoon, which appointment he held until his death. He was awarded the MM for gallantry in Sicily. Sgt Rogers was a tall, athletic, good looking young man with a great sense of fun. He was a loyal, keen and very smart soldier.
I shall make the following proposals to the Colonel of the Regiment, that 3 June, in future years, shall be known as "Sgt Rogers' Day", and that it shall be a whole holiday for the soldiers of this Battalion. In the evening of that day a toast shall be drunk in the Officers' and Sergeants' Messes, the Corporals' Bar and the Men's Canteen, wherever soldiers of this Battalion may be gathered together, to the memory of Sgt Rogers.
That on these occasions his successors as Platoon Sergeants of the Carrier Platoon shall be present in the Officers' Mess, as his successor is tonight as a sign of the mutual respect, confidence and understanding which exists between the Officers and Sergeants of this Battalion. That all ranks of the Battalion shall be told of Sgt Rogers' action on 3 June. These toasts shall be proposed and drunk, not in any frivolous fashion, but as annual reminder to us all and those who come after us of those soldierly qualities of loyalty - discipline - initiative - courage and cheerfulness which Sgt Rogers had in full measure, and for which we daily strive to attain.
It is my earnest hope that by this means some future soldier of this Battalion, perhaps not yet born, in some future battle of flesh and blood or of the wits, in a moment of personal danger and perhaps of hesitancy may remember "Sgt Rogers' Day" and what he did and take courage from his memory.
It is right that Sgt Rogers' wife should receive this award from the hands of the King. At the same time this VC belongs to us as well. It is my opinion that this highest award would never have been conferred on a soldier of a bad unit, irrespective of his individual bravery. It is, therefore, our minimum duty to Sgt Rogers to see that the standard that we have set ourselves in this Battalion which was exemplified by his gallant conduct - shall never be lowered but improved. I ask you to rise and draining your glasses to the dregs, drink with me to the memory of Sgt Rogers VC MM."
