256920 Sgt. Percie Lambshead MM.British Army Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry from:Newquay My father, Percie Lambshead, joined the Territorials in 1938 and was called up in 1939. He served with the Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry in WW2. His battalion was sent to guard the beaches in Kent in 1940 being told that they would all die. He then guarded Falmouth Docks.
Dad underwent commando training in Scotland for the invasion of Norway, but this never happened. He was then involved in commando raids from HMS Prince Leopold in the English Channel.
He landed with the 4th Infantry Division with Operation Torch and fought at the Battle of Cactus Farm. Dad was in the chase to Cape Bonn being attacked by spitfires. At the lighthouse, on taking the surrender of Germans, they opened fire causing casualties. The Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry battalion was then disbanded forming a Cornish Company in the King's Shropshire Light Infantry.
Dad was in the 1st Division which invaded Panterlera. Following a bout of jaundice, he returned to his unit prior to the invasion of Anzio. His company was the furthest forward at the flyover. Every officer was injured and my father led the company. For this action he was awarded the Military Medal. On the breakout from Anzio, his platoon was hit by a mortar with every man injured.
For the rest of the war he was on courses.
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