Orders, Decorations and Medals

An 8th Army M.M. group of five awarded to Gunner E.J. McCoy, Royal Artillery

MILITARY MEDAL, G.VI.R. (1472884 Gnr., R.A.); 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR, clasp, 8th Army; ITALY STAR; WAR MEDAL, the first with contact marks, nearly very fine (5)

M.M., London Gazette, 8 July, 1943 (Middle East). The following citation was extracted from official records: 'On 29th April 1943 'L' Troop moved forward to go into action in the area of Cactus Farm. Owing to false information, it was believed that this farm was in our hands. It was not, and two guns of 'L' troop were stopped by M.G. fire when about 300 yards from the farm. Driver McCoy was wounded by a bullet which went through his steel helmet; he lost a lot of blood and was partly stunned by the wound. Despite this when it was decided to return to battery H.Q., Driver McCoy refused to allow anyone else to drive. He drove the quad back through the minefield without a single mistake. Immediately the quad arrived at battery H.Q., Driver McCoy had to be evacuated. His courage and determination, and quickness in obeying the troop commander's Signals who kept the vehicle zigzagging, probably saved the gun, quad and detachment.'