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(1916-08-14)14 August 1916
London, England
Died4 December 1943(1943-12-04) (aged 27)
Burma
Buried
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
RankPrivate
Service number5625234
UnitSomerset Light Infantry
Battles / warsSecond World War
Awards George Cross
George Cross and its ribbon bar.

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

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  1. ^ TracesOfWar.com Harry Silk
  2. ^ Michael Ashcroft, George Cross Heroes, 2010
  3. ^ CWGC entry
  4. ^ "London Gazette". Retrieved 8 August 2022.