Donaghy, Peter Vincent

Date of birth:: July 23rd, 1910 (Bellshill, Lanarkshire, Scotland)
Date of death:: 1988 (Tyrone, Northern Ireland)
Service number:: 6977089
Nationality:: British

Biography

Peter Donaghy had previously served with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers and was a native of Co. Tyrone. He was wounded and sent to 22 Casualty Clearing Station.

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Military Medal (MM)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Lance-Corporal
Unit:: Corps of Military Police (Moy, Co. Tyrone)
Awarded on:: July 20th, 1944

Recommendation:
"'In the early hours of 17 March 1944, enemy planes were active over the beachhead. One bomb was dropped in the area, Map Ref 828218, Italy, sheet no. 158iv, 1:50000, which made a direct hit on a mortar carrier loaded with mortar bombs. The vehicle caught fire and there was great danger of damage to personnel and vehicles in the vicinity. Without regard for his own safety, Lance Corporal Donaghy rushed to the carrier and commenced to throw out the mortar bombs, clear of the burning carrier. These bombs were by then very hot and had begun to explode, but regardless of the fact, Donaghy continued. He was wounded in the leg but continued till he received a serious wound in the back from the exploding mortar bombs. Hostile aircraft were still overhead and bombing the area. There is no doubt that the resourcefulness and quick action of Lance Corporal Donaghy saved many casualties among personnel and vehicles and was responsible for the early controlling of the fire. Lance Corporal Donaghy's behaviour was of the highest order. He was lying in his dug-out in the CMP lines, well clear of any possible danger from the carrier when it was hit."

Awarded for Anzio, Italy 1944.