Major A J Dyball MC

The following is the text from Army Form W.3121 describing the date, place and action during Operation VARSITY that was raised by the Commanding Officer 1st (Airborne) Battalion The Royal Ulster Rifles, Lieutenant Colonel G P Rickord, in April 1945, recommending P/No 90507 W/S Capt (T/Maj), Anthony John Dyball for an award and forwarded through the chain of command until approved and signed by the Commander-in-Chief 21 Army Group, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery. Major Dyball was awarded the Military Cross (MC) and the award was promulgated in the Supplement to The London Gazette dated 21 June 1945.

On the 24th March 1945 Major Dyball commanding a
company of glider troops was given the hazardous task
of capturing intact the bridge over the River ISSEL by
“Coup de Main”. His glider having survived heavy
flak on the route in was first to crash land
right on the site. He was however only followed in by two
platoons. Severe enemy automatic and rifle fire
opened from close range killing one of his platoon
commanders and wounding the other. In spite
of all these adverse circumstances Major Dyball
continued to control the battle, as the sole remaining
officer, with the greatest courage, coolness and
complete disregard for his own personal safety.
Largely due to his inspiring leadership and control
of the very difficult situation the bridge, which was
to prove so valuable in the future, fell intact
to the hands of his gallant company.