Home of the Infantry Regiments of Berkshire and Wiltshire
Salisbury Area Board helps to show Wiltshire Gallantry
The Museum Collection includes some impressive pieces of silver, including a magnificent centre piece bought by the officers of 1st Battalion The Wiltshire Regiment in 1876, and several medals that demonstrate the gallantry of the men of Wiltshire. All of these are on display to the public, including, for example, the medals of Sergeant Maurice Albert Windham Rogers VC MM. This is possible, in part, because the Salisbury Area Board contributed £1,290 towards the CCTV that provides part of the security system.
Maurice Rogers, joined the Wiltshire Regiment in 1934 aged 14, earned a Military Medal for gallantry in 1941 and in 1944 at the battle of Anzio earned a posthumous Victoria Cross.
The citation in the London Gazette of 8 August 1944, gave the following details;
"In Italy, a battalion of the Wiltshire Regiment was ordered to attack high ground held by the enemy. The carrier platoon of the leading company, dismounted was ordered to capture the final objective. They advanced under intense fire and sustained a number of casualties. The platoon, checked by the enemy's wire and the intensity of his machine-gun fire, took cover some 70 yards short of their objective. Sergeant Rogers continued to advance alone, and penetrated 30 yards inside the enemy's defences, drawing their fire and throwing them into confusion. Inspired by his example, the platoon began the assault. Sergeant Rogers was blown off his feet by a grenade, and wounded in the leg. Nothing daunted, he ran on towards an enemy machine-gun post, attempting to silence it. He was shot and killed at point blank range. This NCO's undaunted determination, fearless devotion to duty and superb courage carried his platoon on to their objective in a strongly defended position. The great gallantry and heroic self-sacrifice of Sergeant Rogers were in the highest tradition of the British Army".