| Surname: | Donaghy |
| Initials: | P |
| Rank: | Lance Corporal |
| Army Number: | 6977089 |
| Notes: | CMP. 5 Div Pro Coy. Formerly Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, transferred to CMP From Moy Co Tyrone. War Diary 5 Div Pro Coy, WO 170/435. 29/4/1944 6977089 L/Cpl Donaghy P wounded sent to No 2 CCS. Casualty List 1407, Italy, wounded, 17/3/19944. Awarded the MM, 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, Defence & War Medals. Casualty List 1407, Italy, Wounded, 17/3/1944. Extract from Ballymena Weekly Telegraph, 28/7/44. The MM has been awarded to L/Cpl Peter Donaghy, Corps of Military Police (whose home is at Moy, County Tyrone). |
Decoration Record: | |
| Decoration: | Military Medal (London Gazette: 36615 Page: 3377 July 20, 1944) |
| Citation: | Military Medal Citation.Anzio ItalyIn 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 an immediate MM. Recommended by Captain Blackburn KSLI OC 5 Div Pro Coy. National Archive WO 373/6. |