Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Italy operations M.M. group of five awarded to Fusilier A. C. Percy, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who led a charmed life over a four day period in June 1944, bullets penetrating his steel helmet and boot on one occasion, and a stick grenade bouncing off his rifle on another - he was originally recommended for an immediate D.C.M.

Military Medal, G.VI.R. (6350578 Fsr. A. C. Percy, R. Innis. Fus.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted as worn, generally good very fine (5) £1800-2200

M.M. London Gazette 7 December 1944. The original recommendation - for an immediate D.C.M. - states:

‘On 21 June 1944, Fusilier Percy was with the leading section which gained a footing in a prominent white house in the village of Pucciarelli. Fusilier Percy was with a small party who then pushed forward to clear two outbuildings, but as they approached two Germans dashed from the outbuildings into the adjoining building on the left where there was an anti-tank gun. A stick grenade hit Fusilier Percy’s rifle, but he ignored this and immediately followed Fusilier Harding into the house, from which they emerged with the two Germans as prisoners - eight other enemy broke cover from another exit and made for the top of the village. Fusilier Percy’s prompt action undoubtedly did much to gain the firm footing in this important village, and prevented the anti-tank gun continuing to fire at our own tanks, thus saving valuable men and machines.

Three days later, on 24 June 1944, during the attack on Point 267, the Company was held up in a sunken road by heavy fire from M.G. 34s. Fusilier Percy received bullets through his steel helmet and his boot which luckily did not harm him. In spite of this he remained as cheerful and aggressive as ever and was amongst the leading troops onto the final objective.’

Arthur Charles Percy, a native of Biggin Hill, Kent, was serving in the 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, a component of 35 (Irish) Infantry Brigade, at the time of winning his M.M.