Percival Eric Gratwick

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Percival Eric (Percy) Gratwick VC (October 19, 1902-October 26, 1942) was an Australian posthumous recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.

Gratwick, who was born in Katanning, Western Australia and had worked as a prospector in the Pilbara region, was a private in the 2nd/48th Battalion (a South Australian unit) of the Australian Army during the World War II when the following actions, for which he was awarded the VC, took place.

On the night of October 25-26, 1942 during the attack at Miteiriya Ridge, Egypt, the platoon to which Gratwick belonged suffered considerable casualties, including the platoon commander and sergeant. Gratwick, realising the seriousness of the situation, charged a German machine-gun position by himself, and killed the crew with hand grenades. He also killed a mortar crew. Under heavy machine-gun fire Gratwick then charged a second post, using his rifle and bayonet. In inflicting further casualties he was killed by machine-gun fire, but his brave and determined action enabled his company to capture the final objective.

Gratwick's VC is displayed at the Army Museum of Western Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia.

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