Distinguished Service medal group (GV1) , excellent Merchant Seaman award for the action between Armed Merchant Cruiser (previously RMMV) Caernarvon Castle and the German Raider ‘Thor’, 5 December 1940. Later served Operation Pedestal , the epic Malta convoy (oil tanker Ohio) where aboard and surviving the sinking of MV Wairangi when torpedoed and sunk by enemy torpedo boats
1 × £1,675.00 Subtotal: £1,675.00
Military Cross, (GVI). reverse officially dated 1942, 1939/45 Star, Africa Star, Italy Star, France and Germany Star, Defence and War Medals ,Territorial Efficiency Medal, (GVI)., (Lt. R.A.C.)
Captain P. A. ‘Pat’ Whorlow, 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters), Royal Armoured Corps,
M.C. London Gazette 13 August 1942:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.’
The original Recommendation, states:
‘Throughout the tank actions in the Knightsbridge area Second Lieutenant Whorlow kept his troop of General Grant tanks steadfastly in action for the first 11 days of the battle. Due to his very accurate tank gunnery and ranging, his troop accounted for no fewer than 11 of the tanks knocked out by his squadron, and also destroyed 8 enemy lorries and 3 enemy guns. His leadership was gallant and inspiring and absolutely regardless of personal danger and his cheerfulness during the long days of hard fighting was an inspiration to his men.’
Percy Augustus Whorlow was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Royal Armoured Corps on 22 November 1941 and served with the 3rd County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters) as part of the 22nd Armoured Brigade, 1st Armoured Division, 30 Corps during the Western Desert Campaign. He was awarded the Military Cross for his gallantry in and around the Knightsbridge Box, as part of the Battle of Gazala. Whorlow relinquished his commission on 2 July 1946, and was granted the honorary rank of Captain. He was subsequently awarded his Territorial Efficiency Medal in 1950 (London Gazette 13 October 1950).
A group photograph entitled ‘1 Troop’ North Africa 1943, including the recipient, is held in the National Army Museum as part of 206 photographs compiled by Major W H J Sale, MC, 3rd/4th County of London Yeomanry (Sharpshooters).
