Army Number: 2721092 Rank: Lance-Corporal Name: P VEALE Unit: 1 Company, 1 Irish Guards Theatre: Italy Missing Personnel file: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file TNA Reference: WO 361/784 Notes: Date of Payment 14 January 1944, 300 Local Currency
PERSONAL INFORMATION Name: VEALE, Philip George DOB: possibly 5th May 1920 Place of Birth: possibly Alverstoke, Hampshire Residence: London, W.7 Died: possibly 2006, 1st Quarter, Kent Trade/Profession: Parents: mother possibly Veale nee Mayhew Wife: Photo: SERVICE Army Number: 2721092 Rank: Corporal (Acting) Regiment/Battalion: Irish Guards, 1st Battalion & 3rd Battalion Enlisted: Discharged: Promotions: Serjeant Aquittance Roll: WO 361/784 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS - Italy, Missing Personnel file 2721092 Lance-Corporal VEALE P 1 Coy. 1st Bn. Irish Guards Date of Payment 14 Jan 1944, 300 Local Currency Casualty Type: WO 417/72 Army Casualty List 1377 published 24/2/44,1IG, Italy, Wounded 30/1/1944 2721092 Lance-Corporal VEALE P G The Times Casualty List: published PRISONER/MISSING Missing Personnel File Details: see Acquittance Roll. MEDALS Gallantry Award/Honour: Military Medal Theatre of Combat or Operation: North West Europe 1944-45 London Gazette: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37172/supplement/3594/data.pdf War Office, 12th July, 1945. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North West Europe:— The Military Medal No. 2721092 Corporal (acting) Philip George VEALE, Irish Guards (London, W.7)." TNA Link: Recommendation for Award for Veale, Philip Rank: Guardsman Service No: ... | The National Archives Citation: "5th Guards Brigade, Guards Armoured Division 30 Corps 2721092 Guardsman (Lance-Corporal) Phillip VEALE, 3rd Battalion Irish Guards" In the early hours of 4 Mar 45, No. 5 Pl was ordered to attack a small wood and a group of houses on the SOUTHERN edge of the BONNINGHARDT ridge, supported by a tp of tanks from 2 (Armd) IG. The GERMANS in these posns overlooked the whole of the Right Coys in HAMB and it was vital that they should be cleared out by first light. When the pl were within 150 yards of the objective, heavy Spandau fire was opened on them from there sides. L/Cpl VEALE was ordered by his pl comd to assist in clearing the wood. Ignoring the heavy fire, this NCO collected his sec and led them to their objective with the greatest dash and courage, where they killed or captured a number of GERMANS. They were greatly assisted throughout by their tp of tanks. Trouble was then experienced from snipers when daylight came, and L/Cpl VEALE went fwd on his own and personally silenced two. This NCO showed the highest powers of leadership and determination both during the actual attack under heavy Spandau fire and subsequently during the consolidation on the objective under very heavy shell, mortar and Spandau fire. His conduct throughout was outstanding, and was a great inspiration to all ranks, and contributed largely to the success of the operation. Immediate MM." Recommendation: Campaign Medals: Italy Star, France & Germany Star REFERENCES War Diaries: War Diary: 1st Battalion IRISH GUARDS, September 1939 - July 1944 Irish Guards, 3rd Battalion, 1943 Jan - Dec | WW2Talk War Diary: 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1944 War Diary: 3rd Battalion IRISH GUARDS, Jan - Dec 1945 Archive Files: WO 361/784, WO 373, WO 417 Publications: IG History, pages 558-559 IG Association, Journal 1949: London Branch Membership - 2721092 Serjeant VEALE MM P, IG Accounts: War Memorial: Newspaper: Websites: Irish Guards: Gallantry Awards & Honours - WWII Open Resource Group
