People profiles
Private Percival Eric Gratwick VC
100640
Date of birth: 19 October 1902
Place of birth: Katanning, WA
Date of death: 26 October 1942
Place of death: El Alamein, Egypt
Percy Gratwick was a 38-year-old former gold prospector from Western Australia. In an attack at Miteiriya Ridge, 25–26 October 1942, Gratwick’s company suffered heavy casualties and was held up by intense enemy fire; his platoon lost its commander, its sergeant, and most of the men. Seeing the seriousness of the situation, Gratwick launched a single-handed attack with grenades, rifle, and bayonet on the German posts. He finally fell to a burst of machine-gun fire. His lone efforts had a big impact, inspiring all those around him and enabling the company to advance.
