Lieutenant 365680 Philip Kenneth Edward CURTIS. V.C. (Posthumous) Born 7th July 1926 died 23rd April 1951 aged 24.The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry, attached to the Gloucestershire Regiment, Imjin River, Korea,
He is at rest grave 1809, row 10, section 24 at United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Busan, South Korea. He had previously served in the Second World War and the Korean War On display at the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum. Commercial Rd, Gloucester GL1 2HE
London Gazette dated 1st December 1953.
Citation extract
During the first phase of the Battle of the Imjin River on the night of 22nd/23rd April, 1951, "A" Company, 1 Glosters, was heavily attacked by a large enemy force. By dawn on 23rd April, the enemy had secured a footing on the "Castle Hill" site in very close proximity to No. 2 Platoon's position. The Company Commander ordered No.1 Platoon, under the command of Lieutenant Curtis, to carry out a counter-attack with a view to dislodging the enemy from the position. Under the covering fire of medium machine guns, the counter-attack, gallantly led by Lieutenant Curtis, gained initial success, but was eventually held up by heavy fire and grenades. Enemy from just below the crest of the hill were rushed to reinforce the position and a fierce fire-fight developed, grenades also being freely used by both sides in this close-quarter engagement. Lieutenant Curtis ordered some of his men to give him covering fire while he himself rushed the main position of resistance; in this charge Lieutenant Curtis was severely wounded by a grenade. Several of his men crawled out and pulled him back under cover, but, recovering himself, Lieutenant Curtis insisted on making a second attempt. Breaking free from the men who wished to restrain him, he made another desperate charge, hurling grenades as he went, but was killed by a burst of fire when within a few yards of his objective. Although the immediate objective of this counter-attack was not achieved, it had yet a great effect on the subsequent course of the battle; for although the enemy had gained a footing on a position vital to the defence of the whole company area, this success had resulted in such furious reaction that they made no further effort to exploit their success in this immediate area; had they done so, the eventual withdrawal of the company might well have proved impossible. Lieutenant Curtis's conduct was magnificent throughout this bitter battle.
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/40029/supplement/6513
