215860 Pte. Joseph J McCurry MM.British Army 7th Battalion Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) (d.26th Sep 1944) Joseph McCurry died aged 25. He was born in Jarrow in 1918, son of Joseph and Mary Jane McCurry (nee McBride) of Jarrow. He was the
husband of Mary Constance McCurry (nee Woolfenden) of Bentley Yorkshire
Joseph is buried in Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery and is commemorated on the WW2 Roll of Honour Plaque in the entrance of Jarrow Town Hall. Additional Information: | On the morning of the 20th of July 1943, the Mortar platoon was in action with the Battalion in the area of the Fosso Botacetta. A burst of counter mortar fire landed in the mortar pit, killing the whole crew with two exceptions, who were both wounded, and smashed the mortar and set the bombs afire. In spite of the possibility that another group of bombs might land and that the bombs in the pit would explode at any moment, Pte McCurry, one of the wounded mortar crew, realised the danger, and without regard for his own safety, limped out for a shovel, came back at all speed, and proceeded to put out the fire. There is no doubt that by his courage and initiative, he prevented the fire spreading, and so encouraged the others as to prevent the explosion which would have undoubtedly caused further serious casualties. He was awarded the Military Medal on the 23rd of December 1943.
Extract from National Archives. John McCurry
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