Jess Sunderland
- 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 before transferring to 6th Bn York and Lancaster Regiment. Whilst in North Africa, Jess was wounded on April 10th 1943 but recovered sufficiently to move to Italy with the battalion. 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