Fitzpatrick, Percy

580 Driver Percy Fitzpatrick - 7th Machine Gun Company

Samuel Percy Fitzpatrick was born in Fremantle WA in 1897 to John and Ellen Fitzpatrick. He was one of fifteen siblings born into the family.

In the 1900's the family moved to West Perth and Percy completed his education there. He also served in the senior cadets and after leaving school he took up employment as a clothes presser.

Shortly before enlistment he had moved to Coogee South Fremantle.

On the 14th January 1916 Percy enlisted into the AIF. He was accepted as fit for service with the medical examiner recording his physical attributes as;

Height - 5 feet 2 & 1/4 inches tall;

Weight - 107lbs;

Chest Measurement - 32-34 inches;

Complexion - Fresh;

Eyes - Blue;

Hair - Dark.

Upon his successful enlistment he was sent to Claremont Showgrounds Camp and was assigned to the 44th Battalion AIF.

On the 6th June 1916 the 44th battalion departed from Fremantle aboard the transport ship HMAT Suevic. After a long sea voyage the unit arrived at Plymouth England on the 21st July 1916.

The men were then disembarked and sent to the 3rd Australian Division Training Ground on the Salisbury Plains. The next few months would be taken up with training.

In October 1916 volunteers were called for among the 44th Battalion to help reinforce the Western Australian battalions already in France. Percy volunteered and was taken on strength of the 28th Battalion in France on the 30th October 1916.

He joined them just in time for the 28th battalion's action at Flers in November 1916. On November 5th 1916 they took part in an attack on the German trenches and from the 14th -16th November were involved in an action when the Germans attacked the trench held by the 28th battalion. Casualties were very heavy but Percy came through unscathed.

On the 27th January 1917 Percy was transferred to the 7th Machine Gun Company as his brother Frederick was already serving in this unit. Not long after joining the 7th Machine Gun Company Percy came under notice for his bravery and was recommended for the award of the Military Medal;

For conspicuous gallantry in action near Warlencourt on night of 1/2nd March 1917. He displayed great judgement and resource in the handling of his machine gun, following close in the wake of the assaulting troops. He pushed forward at the earliest opportunity in advance of the position gained and established himself in a strong post where his cool manipulation of his weapon proved a large feature in the success of our operations.

Percy survived this action unscathed and continued to serve with his unit at Lagnicourt on March 26th 1917 and Bullecourt in May 1917. After the Bullecourt action the 2nd Division were pulled out of the line for three months during which time much training was undertaken.

In September 1917 the 7th Machine Gun Company were in action during the Third Battle of Ypres. Percy took part in the Battle of Menin Road on September 20th 1917. He came through safely and the gunners continued to provide fire support to the infantry at the front.

On the 29th September 1917 Percy was severely wounded when shrapnel struck him in the arm. He was first taken to the 5th Field Ambulance where the first treatment was given and he was then sent to the 3rd Casualty Clearing Station. He was then sent on an ambulance train to Etaples where he was admitted to St John's Field Ambulance Hospital.

Unfortunately Percy's arm could not be saved and had to be amputated at the Humerus.

On the 6th November 1917 Percy was sent to hospital in England and was admitted to Whipps Hospital in Leytonstone. Percy remained here in recovery for the rest of the year.

On the 7th January 1918 Percy was transferred to the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital at Dartford. He had a few days here and on the 10th January 1918 was granted a period of furlough.

Percy returned on the 24th January 1918 and reported in to No.2 Command Depot Camp at Weymouth. He would wait here to be assigned a troopship home.

On the 5th April 1918 Percy boarded the troopship Borda and set sail for Australia, reaching Fremantle on the 22nd May 1918. After being disembarked Percy was sent to No.8 Australian General Hospital for a medical checkup.

He was discharged from the AIF on the 20th November 1918.

In 1925 Percy was living at 94 Lilly Street South Fremantle.

Percy died in Palmyra on the 9th November 1963 aged 74. He was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery plot Roman Catholic GC 0333.