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Robert Herbert Little was born in December 1918, the son of Stephen and Elizabeth Little, in Carlisle, Cumberland, in December 1918 and enlisted in the Scots Guards in April 1938. Posted to the 2nd Battalion, he embarked for Egypt in November 1938 and was serving there on the outbreak of hostilities.
Subsequently decorated for his gallantry at Sidi Rezegh in early December 1941, Robert served in Syria from September 1942 until February 1943, and landed - as then 'G' Company Sergeant Major - with his battalion at Salerno, in Italy, in mid-September 1943.
He was killed, aged 24, while directing a burial party on 12 November 1943 and is buried in Cassino War Cemetery.
By then his parents were living at Crosby on the Isle of Man.
The award of his Military Medal was published in the London Gazette on 24 February 1942. The original recommendation states:
‘At Sidi Rezegh on 5 December 1941, the German Army was in retreat under constant shell fire. The Platoon to which Lance-Corporal Little belongs was ordered to the O.P. area for possible mopping up operations. A large body of Infantry was seen marching away towards Italian defended positions - these were eventually identified as captured New Zealanders under escort. A party which included Lance-Corporal Little went out after them, routed the escort, and bought back some 200-300 New Zealanders on foot and in trucks. There were several seriously wounded still to be collected. It was late afternoon, there was little daylight left, and there was much enemy M.T. movement in the area. Lance-Corporal Little volunteered to go with his truck. He went off and with another vehicle, was away for 1½ hours, returning with eight wounded men. The party had been subjected to heavy M.G. fire, and had had to lie low while enemy M.T. passed close to them. An officer has said that “throughout the enterprise Lance-Corporal Little’s example was magnificent - his determination to save the wounded men and his disregard for his personal safety were beyond praise.”’
WO2 Little’s medal group consists of the Military Medal (G.VI.R.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star with 8th Army clasp; Italy Star and 1939-45 Defence & War Medals
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