Private Joseph Henry Silk GC (14 August 1916 − 4 December 1943),[1][2] of the Somerset Light Infantry was posthumously awarded the George Cross (GC) for his heroic self-sacrifice while serving in Burma (now Myanmar) during the Burma campaign of 1942−1943 of the Second World War.
Joseph Henry Silk | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | "Harry" |
| Born | 14 August 1916 London, England |
| Died | 4 December 1943 (aged 27) Burma |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service/ |  British Army |
| Rank | Private |
| Service number | 5625234 |
| Unit | Somerset Light Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
| Awards |  George Cross |
During training Silk threw himself on an accidentally triggered grenade to save his comrades from the explosion which killed him instantly.[3]
Notice of his award appeared in The London Gazette on 13 June 1944.[4]
References
edit- ^ TracesOfWar.com Harry Silk
- ^ Michael Ashcroft, George Cross Heroes, 2010
- ^ CWGC entry
- ^ "London Gazette". Retrieved 8 August 2022.