2/48th Infantry Battalion, 26th Brigade, 9th DivisionWX9858 Private Arthur Stanley Gurney was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Tel el Eisa, Alamein Sector, Egypt on the 22nd of July, 1942.
During an attack Gurney’s company was held up by machine-gun fire from posts 100 metres in front, and all the officers were killed or wounded. Gurney, without hesitation, charged the nearest machine-gun post, bayoneted three men and silenced the post. He continued on to the second post, bayoneted two men and sent a third out as prisoner. Stick grenades were thrown at him and he was knocked to the ground, but he got up and charged the third post. Gurney disappeared from view and later his body was found in an enemy post.
Private Gurney is buried at the Alamein War Cemetery in Egypt. His Victoria Cross in on public display in the Hall of Valour at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. Private Arthur Stanley Gurney was 33 years old at the time of his death.
image 100639 Australian War Memorial.
1 comment:
Gday Tim
iv been researching the 9th div and came across your blog excellent work.
My grandfather was Herb Ashby the private commanding 17 platoon on the 22 july after all the officers and nco's were killed or wounded. He is the person who recommended Arthur Gurney for the vc and is i believe the only private to initiate a vc recommendation.
He told me that 22 july is a day that he will never forget,the worst day of his life as they were cut of and pinned down all day under constant fire.
unfortunately my grandfather passed away last year
I would have loved to show him your blog and asked him about your grandfather as he went to a lot of 9th divvy reunions and knew a lot of people
regards paul
Post a Comment