1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment 1944-45 - Awards and Citations
Sergeant Albert John GREATRIX (5254906)
In August 1944 Sergeant Albert Greatrix was recommended for an Immediate Military Medal by the Commanding Officer, Lieut.-Col. R. E. Osborne-Smith. Military Medal (London Gazette 21st December 1944)Citation: “On the 7th August 1944 in connection with the clearing of the area South of the road LA VARINIERE 821447 – LE PLESSIS GRIMOULT 8444, the above named NCO was commanding a platoon of the Company detailed for this operation. The leading platoon came under very heavy fire from Light Machine Guns protected by sunken lanes, and suffered numerous casualties. Sergeant GREATRIX was ordered forward with his platoon to restore the situation. He took his platoon forward and by his personal example and powers of leadership the platoon forced the enemy back inflicting many casualties on them. At one period his platoon was held up by an enemy post, strongly entrenched in a sunken lane. Sergeant GREATRIX ran forward with a PIAT and from very short range fired it against the defences. His initiative in employing this weapon out of its normal role caused the enemy to withdraw and Sergeant GREATRIX then chased them down the track with 2” Mortar H.E. fired at low angle.” Note: Numbers refer to map references used on the original military maps. |
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Background:
Albert Greatrix was born in Cannock, Staffordshire in 1920.
At the beginning of 1943 Albert Greatrix was a corporal with 14 Platoon. As a keen sportsman he was a member of ‘C’ Company football team. By 1944 he had moved to 13 Platoon with the rank of Sergeant and landed with them in Normandy in June 1944. Shortly after being awarded the M.M. he was hit by enemy machine gun fire 7 times. After receiving treatment for his wounds he was evacuated back to England and West Bromwich District Hospital where he stayed for a month before being moved to a convalescence home in Bromsgrove. He was eventually discharged by the Medical Board and finally arrived back home in November 1944. Albert died on the 17th February 2009.
1st Battalion Worcestershire Regiment - 'C' Company Football Team (winners 1943-44)
Back row: Maj. A. J. Gutch, Pte. Ted Munn, Pte. F. Salmon, Pte. Geoff Williams, Sgt. Albert Greatrix, Sgt. Jimmy Lane, Pte. P. Oakham, CSM H. Burton.
Seated front: Pte. Cross, Pte. Jimmy Branch, Pte. Sam Williams, Pte. Ken Perry, Pte. Harry Harrison