Lance Corporal Richard McCarthy, R.A.M.C. attached to 46 RM Commando, was awarded the Military Medal for gallant and distinguished service during operations at Rots and Le Hamel, France. Richard, from Sutton in St Helens, Lancashire, was employed as a bricklayer before joining the Royal Army Medical Corps. Whilst stationed in Tunbridge Wells, Kent, at the end of the war he met and married his wife Beryl and the couple settled in the town.

This NCO showed complete disregard for personal safety during the operations on 11 June. His work involved assisting casualties over open ground covered by fire. During the night 11/12 June LCpl McCarthy went forward alone from Rots in order to locate and assist wounded in an area which was constantly under enemy fire.