Photo: Simon Glancey

The Citation for being awarded the Military Cross reads:

"During a sustained heavy patrol action lasting about ten hours on 6 Dec. 1944, Capt. J.D. Fitzpatrick, R.A. was acting as F.O.O. with 'C' Coy of my battalion carrying out the patrol. At one stage whilst advancing up a very steep thickly scrub covered ridge the lading platoon and Coy. H.Q. groups were heavily engaged by enemy L.M.G. and mortar fire from the front and both flanks.

Capt. Fitzpatrick who was with my company commander remained perfectly calm and unflurried, with care and deliberation he brought down accurate fire on the enemy positions to such effect that the enemy mortars were quickly silenced. This undoubtedly saved heavy casualties occurring amongst the infantry. The enemy positions were extremely difficult to observe, owing to the thickness of the jungle, the nature of the ground made the task of bringing down accurate fire doubly difficult. To carry out his task, Capt. Fitzpatrick moved to a position where he came under direct L.M.G. fire and with great coolness brought his guns to bear. His calmness and deliberation, his complete disregard of personal safety were a fine example to all who witnessed there. His actions were in accordance with the finest traditions of the Royal Regiment."

Comd. 14/10th Baluch Regiment
Lt. Col. C.J.W. Radford.

This action took place in Arakan, in the Maungdaw Hills, Alethangyaw, Northern End Feature of the Mayu Range.

David Fitzpatrick is remembered in Fenham on F31.22