Corporal James Patrick Scully, Pioneer Corps, was awarded the George Cross. During a raid on Merseyside in March, 1941, he and an officer held an immense load of debris on their shoulders to save a 70-year-old woman who, with her husband, was trapped in the ruins of their home. Corporal Scully forced his way through the ruins to find the husband dead and the seriously injured. He covered their faces with steel helmets to protect them from falling debris and spoke cheerfully to the woman to keep up her spirits. He and the Lieutenant stood from 11.30 at night to 6.30 next morning with a plank on their shoulders holding off the debris from the trapped couple. The house was slowly collapsing all the time. Scully was completely exhausted and taken to hospital. Corporal Scully comes from Crumlin, Co. Dublin. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Patrick_Scully http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/ScullyJP.htm http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/details-result.asp?Edoc_Id=7675239&queryType=1&resultcount=1 Name Scully, James Patrick Rank: Acting Corporal Service No: 13039555 Regiment: Pioneer Corps Theatre of Combat or Operation: Non-Combatant Gallantry Award: The George Cross Date 1941 Catalogue reference WO 373/66 Date of Announcement in London Gazette: 08 July 1941 http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35213/pages/3919 See this thread for ref: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/research-material/19413-volunteers-eire-who-have-won-distinctions.html#post195852 :irishflag[1]: