A MODEST hero, Guardsman Lees Chadwick's actions in a desperate battle spoke for themselves.

Mr Chadwick, born in Hale Village in 1920, has died at the age of 84.

He won the Army's second highest-ranking medal for gallantry, the Distinguished Conduct Medal, while serving with the Scots Guards in Italy in September 1943.

A Widnes man and former workmate, who asked not to be named, said: "His action in the war was typical of what I would expect of him - he was devil-may-care. But he would never mention his actions. He was a modest hero."

Mr Chadwick's medal citation says he demonstrated 'outstanding bravery and dash' when his company was attacked by German tanks and infantry fire. He charged one machine gun position and used his bayonet to kill the crew and then, despite being wounded in the face and hit four times, he killed the crew of another machine gun - still using his bayonet because he had run out of ammunition.

Despite his efforts, Mr Chadwick's company was overrun and he was last seen through the smoke attacking yet another machine-gun post.

Two months later he escaped by jumping off a prison train and returned to British lines disguised as a civilian. He also took down details of secret German attempts to blast into bunkers in solid rock around strategically vital area Cassino.

He worked for Everite, Derby Road, before the war and after discharge he worked as an engineer for Turner and Newall in Manchester. He married Jessie McQuisten and had two sons.

His former workmate said: "He acquitted himself in the heat of battle, and it was typical of him that when he made his break for freedom he was calm enough to record what he saw and make a contribution that way.

"A very remarkable man."