The AIF Project

Percival McCOY

Regimental number5473
Place of birthPort Augusta South Australia
ReligionChurch of England
OccupationStockman
AddressPeoples Palace, Toowoomba, Queensland
Marital statusSingle
Age at embarkation22
Next of kinBrother, J J McCoy, Para Station via Wentworth, New South Wales
Enlistment date29 November 1915
Rank on enlistmentPrivate
Unit name15th Battalion, 17th Reinforcement
AWM Embarkation Roll number23/32/2
Embarkation detailsUnit embarked from Sydney, New South Wales, on board HMAT SS Hawkes Bay on 20 April 1916
Regimental number from Nominal RollCommissioned
Rank from Nominal Roll2nd Lieutenant
Unit from Nominal Roll15th Battalion
Recommendations (Medals and Awards)

Military Medal


* Refers March-April 1918.
Recommendation date: "4 March 1918

Distinguished Conduct Medal


Recommendation date: Unspecified*"

FateReturned to Australia 1 August 1919
Medals

Distinguished Conduct Medal

'For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He carried out several daring reconnaissances both day and night.Again and again he proved himself a very able patrol leader and obtained most valuable information on patrol. As a platoon sergeant, he has proved himself very capable, and has set an excellent example to his men throughout.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 15
Date: 4 February 1919

Military Medal

'For conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty when in charge of patrols near HOLLEBEKE on night 27th February 1918. He carried out a daring reconnaissance of the enemy positions on night of 27th February over most difficult ground and under heavy enemy machine gun fire, and on another occasion he crawled through the enemy's wire to obtain information of an enemy post. During our tour of duty in the line from the night 20th/21st February to 1st/2nd March, 1918 Sergeant McCoy was on patrol every night. His conduct under most trying conditions was a splendid example to the men under his charge. This N.C.O. has always been conspicuous in action for his coolness and good leadership. It was entirely due to the cool daring of patrol leaders that we were enabled to deny No Man's Land to enemy and to furnish good information of enemy dispositions to higher formations.'
Source: 'Commonwealth Gazette' No. 120
Date: 7 August 1918

Other details

War service: Western Front

Medals: Distinguished Conduct Medal, Military Medal, British War Medal, Victory Medal

Print format    


© The AIF Project 2024, UNSW Canberra. Not to be reproduced without permission.