- SURNAME
Packer
- FORENAME
Mark Charles
- UNIT
47 Commando
- RANK
Sergeant
- NUMBER
CH/X 105314
- AWARD
Military Medal
- PLACE
Walcheren 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 18.07.1943, Rochester, Kent, UK
father Thomas Packer
mother May (nee Hermitage)
educated Colyer Road School, Northfleet
06.1941 entered service
1943 married Ada Whitehouse (4 children) marriage disolved
1959 married Patricia Baker (died 2002)
employed Derbyshire as Quarry Manager
resided Yorkshire after retirement
died 24.03.2023 (Aged 99)
CITATION:
Military Medal : At Walcheren, on 2 Nov, during 47(RM) Commando's attack on W.11 Battery S.E. of ZOUTELAND, Cpl PACKER's section commander was killed during the hand-to-hand fighting that followed the assault.
Continuous heavy fighting ensued for 2 hours, during which Cpl PACKER displayed outstanding courage and leadership, often rallying those around him at critical times. He was always well to the fore, sometimes unsupported, in the counter-rushes that met the German attacks.
In the absence of any close fire support our men were driven off the position by sheer weight of numbers. Cpl PAKCER rallied the survivors of his section. His cheerful yet resolute manner inspired them with confidence, and put new life into them so that they were able to hang on to the vital ground during the hours of darkness.
The next morning, in a renewed attack on the enemy battery position, Cpl PACKER's troop was responsible for right flank protection.
The enemy opened concentrated and sustained cross fire at close range from the crest of the dunes and from a concrete fire control position known as the "umbrella" on the seaward side of the dunes.
Quickly sizing up the danger from this flanking fire, Cpl PACKER in spite of MG and rifle fire, without hesitation and without waiting to see if he would be supported, charged the "umbrella" with his tommy gun. He had to climb about 30 yards up a slope of soft deep sand.
When he was only a few yards short of the "umbrella" he was wounded by a stick grenade and fell just under the concrete lip of the emplacement. With great presence of mind and still full of fight he threw a No 77 smoke grenade into the "umbrella" and this proved a very effective silencer.
Throughout the best part of 2 days continuous and fluctuating fighting, much of it at close quarters, this NCO showed the greatest courage, inspiring those around him to further efforts by his cheerfulness, determination and complete disregard for his own safety.
Continuous heavy fighting ensued for 2 hours, during which Cpl PACKER displayed outstanding courage and leadership, often rallying those around him at critical times. He was always well to the fore, sometimes unsupported, in the counter-rushes that met the German attacks.
In the absence of any close fire support our men were driven off the position by sheer weight of numbers. Cpl PAKCER rallied the survivors of his section. His cheerful yet resolute manner inspired them with confidence, and put new life into them so that they were able to hang on to the vital ground during the hours of darkness.
The next morning, in a renewed attack on the enemy battery position, Cpl PACKER's troop was responsible for right flank protection.
The enemy opened concentrated and sustained cross fire at close range from the crest of the dunes and from a concrete fire control position known as the "umbrella" on the seaward side of the dunes.
Quickly sizing up the danger from this flanking fire, Cpl PACKER in spite of MG and rifle fire, without hesitation and without waiting to see if he would be supported, charged the "umbrella" with his tommy gun. He had to climb about 30 yards up a slope of soft deep sand.
When he was only a few yards short of the "umbrella" he was wounded by a stick grenade and fell just under the concrete lip of the emplacement. With great presence of mind and still full of fight he threw a No 77 smoke grenade into the "umbrella" and this proved a very effective silencer.
Throughout the best part of 2 days continuous and fluctuating fighting, much of it at close quarters, this NCO showed the greatest courage, inspiring those around him to further efforts by his cheerfulness, determination and complete disregard for his own safety.
WEB LINKS:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369880https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sergeant-mark-packer-obituary-ltxnnrtdp
NATIONAL ARCHIVES:
https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D7369880
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