Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant

Unit:

"D" Company, 1st Battalion The Canadian Scottish Regiment (Princess Mary's), 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1944

Recommendation:
Late in the afternoon of 8 June 1944 the Royal Winnipeg Rifles position at Putot-en-Bessin was overrun and the Canadian Scottish Regiment was ordered to counter-attack. D Company was leading Company and advanced at forced pace. During the terrific battle that ensued both the Company Commander and the second-in-command became casualties before the objective was attained, and Lieutenant A.C. Peck immediately took command. With his company sadly depleted he fought on under terrific odds, his courage initiative and utter lack of concern for his own personal safety was an inspiration to his men that they took the objective and held it despite the fact that on reaching it the entire company strength was 26. Having taken the objective, it was necessary to immediately dig in and hang on, and, but for the fact that Lieutenant Peck remained cool and collected moving about, explaining the situation to his men, advising and encouraging them, it could not have held and the enemy would have successfully counter-attacked the Battalion, which already had one Company out of ammunition.
Lieutenant Peck moved about all night improving the defences, terribly fatigued and always under fire, an example to his men which alone carried them through the night. Not until the next day did he relax, then to be wounded from enemy mortar fire and evacuated to a rear area leaving behind him a job well done and a memory that will send his men on to future success.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 31 August, 1944.