A Normandy D Day +2 George Medal to Private Arthur Catley RPC / Late Lincolnshire Regiment

G.VI.R. George Medal, correctly engraved 4808333 Pte. Arthur Catley.

Condition EF.

Arthur Catley was born in Barrow on Humber on the 2^nd of January 1910. He was called up for service with the 7^th Bn Lincolnshire Regiment, joining on the 26^th of July 1940. At the time he was married and living in Immingham Lincolnshire.

 In December 1941, Catley was transferred to the Royal Army Pioneer Corps. He landed on D – Day and two days later was awarded the George Medal for the following deed;

‘ On 8th June, 1944 at about 1200 hours a bomb hit No 3 SSD and Petrol Dump and immediately set fire to a large quantity of petrol. A fire of immense proportions ensued, which spread rapidly to the ammunition dump, this contained all natures of ammunition and explosives including a large quantity of 105 mm HE shell and Anti Tank mines. Sergeant Grant, without orders or encouragement from anyone else immediately called for volunteers to help localise the fire and salvage such stores as could be saved. Without hesitation Pte Catley volunteered. They worked without interruption for 1 and half hours during which time hundreds of tons of ammunition exploded about them. Both soldiers showed utter disregard for their personal safety and displayed courage and devotion to duty of the highest order. As a result of their efforts approximately one third of the ammunition and the whole of the Ordnance Stores were saved - this at a time when every round of ammunition ashore counted ’

Catley and Sergeant Grant’s medals were gazetted on the 7^th of November 1944. Arthur passed away in Lincolnshire in 1977.