James Patrick Scully
Encyclopedia
Acting Corporal James Patrick Scully (born 20 October 1909) of the Pioneer Corps was awarded the George Cross
for the valour he displayed on the 8 March 1941 in Liverpool
in rescuing people from a bomb damaged building. He was originally from Dublin.
The citation was published in the London Gazette
on the 8 July 1941, and reads:
Scully was the only member of the Pioneer Corps to be awarded the George Cross (although 13 George Medal
s and many other lesser awards have been won by Corps members.). No members of the Pioneer Corps have won the Victoria Cross
while serving with the corps, although Francis George Miles
served with the corps in World War II after winning the VC while serving with the Gloucestershire Regiment in World War I.
James Scully was the first Catholic recipient of a George Cross and is commemorated by a sculpture at Simpson Barracks. A Troop of the modern-day Royal Logistics Corps is also named after him.
Corporal Scully's medal group including the George Cross was sold at auction in London on 5th July 2011 for £72,000. The auction was held by Dix Noonan Webb and was lot number 705. It was sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; Buckingham Palace Coronation Medal 1953 certificate; membership certificate for the Royal Society of St. George; two or three portrait photographs, and the cover feature of the Hornet of January 1967, featuring the recipient’s G.C.-winning exploits.
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
for the valour he displayed on the 8 March 1941 in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
in rescuing people from a bomb damaged building. He was originally from Dublin.
The citation was published in the London Gazette
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
on the 8 July 1941, and reads:
Scully was the only member of the Pioneer Corps to be awarded the George Cross (although 13 George Medal
George Medal
The George Medal is the second level civil decoration of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth.The GM was instituted on 24 September 1940 by King George VI. At this time, during the height of The Blitz, there was a strong desire to reward the many acts of civilian courage...
s and many other lesser awards have been won by Corps members.). No members of the Pioneer Corps have won the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
while serving with the corps, although Francis George Miles
Francis George Miles
Francis George Miles VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
served with the corps in World War II after winning the VC while serving with the Gloucestershire Regiment in World War I.
James Scully was the first Catholic recipient of a George Cross and is commemorated by a sculpture at Simpson Barracks. A Troop of the modern-day Royal Logistics Corps is also named after him.
Corporal Scully's medal group including the George Cross was sold at auction in London on 5th July 2011 for £72,000. The auction was held by Dix Noonan Webb and was lot number 705. It was sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s Soldier’s Service and Pay Book; Buckingham Palace Coronation Medal 1953 certificate; membership certificate for the Royal Society of St. George; two or three portrait photographs, and the cover feature of the Hornet of January 1967, featuring the recipient’s G.C.-winning exploits.