Bury, William Gledstanes "Bill"

Date of birth:: May 19th, 1898 (Dublin, Ireland)
Date of death:: July 28th, 1943
Buried on:: Canadian War Cemetery Agira
Plot: C. Row: C. Grave: 283.
Nationality:: Canadian

Biography

William Gledstanes Bury also served during the First World War and for his participation he received the 'British War Medal 1914 - 1918' and the 'Victory Medal 1914 - 1918'. Besides all he also received the 'King George VI Coronation Medal 1937'.

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Major
Unit:: D Company, 1st Battalion, The Loyal Edmonton Regiment, 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army
Awarded on:: August 27th, 1943

Recommendation:
On the evening, 26 July 1943, “D” Company, Edmonton Regiment, under command Major Bury, then west of Agira (Sicily) was ordered to occupy and hold an isolated post astride a road leading from Agira to the north in order to close the northern exit from the town and to block the enemy’s line of retirement from Agira.
By map and compass, on this dark and moonless night, this officer unerringly led his men, cross country over the six mile stretch of rugged precipitous rock. Reaching the post at dawn Major Bury personally led the bayonet charge which captured the post, then the company dug in.
Between the time that it became possible to relieve them some twelve hours later, “D” Company under Major Bury’s gallant, skillful and courageous leadership successfully fought off three major German counter attacks, patrolled, located and blew up a large ammunition dump, skillfully laid 75 anti tank mines which blew up two enemy tanks, five lorries and effectively blocked the north road as an avenue of retreat.

Awarded posthumously.