Private Percival Eric Gratwick

image: 100640 image: 100640
Photograph 100640
Service number WX10426
Birth Date 19/10/1902
Birth Place Australia: Western Australia, Katanning
Death Date 26/10/1942
Death Place North Africa: Western Desert, Western Desert (Egypt), El Alamein
Final Rank Private
Service Australian Army
Unit 2/48th Australian Infantry Battalion
Places
Event The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (WX10426) Private Percival Eric Gratwick, 2/48th Australian Infantry Battalion, Second World War, 1939-1945
Conflict/Operation Second World War, 1939-1945
Description

Percy Gratwick (1902-1942) was a 40-year-old former gold prospector from Western Australia. On the night of 25/26 October 1942 in an attack on Trig 29, west of El Alamein, 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. Gratwick was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross.

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    PRIVATE P.E. GRATWICK VC, 2/48TH INFANTRY BATTALION. HE WAS AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS ...

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Date of birth 19/10/1902
Date of honour or award 1942-10-25 - 1942-10-26 Awarded the Victoria Cross for action at El Alamein, Egypt whilst serving with 2/48 Battalion, 26 Brigade, 9 Division as a Private.
Date of death 26/10/1942

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