McCracken, Angus Murray

Date of birth:: 1895 (Newcastle/Tyne and Wear, Great Britain)
Date of death:: December 12th, 1943 (Monte Camino, Italy)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Cemetery Naples
Plot: III. Row: G. Grave: 17.
Service number:: 45919
Nationality:: British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Angus McCracken was awarded the Military Cross in 1915. Between wars he was a rugby player and a an accountant.
On December 4th, during the battle for Monte Camino our Lieutenant Colonel McCracken was mortally wounded and died of his wounds on the 12th.

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Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel
Unit:: 64th Field Regiment R.A., Divisional Troops, 56th (London) Infantry Division, British Army
Awarded on:: January 11th, 1944

Recommendation:
"Lt.Col. A.M. McCracken MC with his 64th Field Regiment was the Artillery Officer in support of 167 (London) Infantry Brigade during the battle of the SALERNO bridgehead. On the evenings of the 11th and 15th September 1943 he brought down such quick and accurate S.O.S. and Defensive Fire that he was largely instrumental in breaking up two determined attacks by the Germans both of which were executed with the object of driving our forces into the sea. Lt.Col. A.M. McCracken MC showed untiring energy and devotion to duty, and the success produced by the artillery fire was largely due to his control of his unit and foresight in preparation for such attacks. He made courageous decisions in shortening his fire when the enemy had effected a partial penetration, and it was in a great measure due to his application of artillery that the bridgehead held firm."

Awarded as an immediate DSO.

Sources

- Copy of the original recommendation - STIWOT- archive
- Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 36327 published on the 11 January 1944
- Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- BBC - People's War
- The Kinloch Hotel