Jess Sunderland
Colliery worker
Pre WWII Army
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Jess Sunderland was the son of James Sunderland who married Louisa Goodwin at Skegby in February 1907. They were to have 14 children (8 boys and 6 girls). They moved to Wellow during the late 1920s having previously lived at Mansfield, Skegby and Doncaster. The family lived in a terraced house on Newark Road opposite Moat farm. Jess was married to Phyllis Dora of Langsdale, Glasgow.
Biographical and Military history in this section is by courtesy of Wellow Heritage and Tourism Group, pamphlet A Tribute to our Wellow War Heroes (2021)
Jess Sunderland initially joined the Cameronians and served 6 years in India.
At the start of WW2 he returned and transferred to the York and Lancaster Regiment, fighting in the Middle East, Africa and Italy.
He received two Military Medals for bravery in 1943 within a month:
The Military Medal was awarded for capturing a German position in Tunisia.
April 10th 1943 the bar was awarded for devotion to duty when wounded. He received three machine gun bullets through the shoulder but refused to be evacuated to support his platoon.
Jesse died in action whilst serving with the Central Mediterranean Force. He was fatally wounded on September 18th 1943.
15,000 Military Medals were awarded during World War Two for 'acts of gallantry under fire' but Jess Sunderland became one of only 177 men to be awarded the MM twice and thus entitled to add a Bar to his medal.
Military Medal and Bar similar to the one awarded to Jess Sunderland.
Photo: Wellow Heritage and Tourism Group, A tribute to our Wellow War Heroes (2021) p.19
Photo of Jess Sunderland
Photo of Jess Sunderland