L/Sgt. Patrick McVeigh DCM

The Loyals attached to No.4 Commando. Patrick was one of the first to join No.4 Commando and served with them until disbandment. Here are just two quotes from the book "Swiftly They Struck" written by a Section Officer of F troop, Murdoch McDougall. Lt McDougall writes "That was my first defeat by McVeigh, who in the times to come was to prove a tower of strength in the troop. Small in stature, slimly built, his personality was such that he became an almost legendary figure throughout the whole Commando."

He quotes a CSM as referring to Patrick " You want to see 'im box. Marvellous 'e is. Runner up at 'is weight in the 'ole Army 'fore the war"

Murdoch McDougall's book is full of references to Patrick McVeigh and reflect the respect he had for him whilst he was his Section Officer.

His nephew Paul and other family members wrote these words:

25th January 1913 to 25th July 2012
Patrick McVeigh (DCM), No 4 Commando, F Troop
(3853876 Loyals)

Passed peacefully away on 25/07/2012 at the exact age of 99 years 6 months.

At Flushing on 1st November 1944, in command of a sub-section, went to the assault of the Naval Barracks defended by approximately sixty enemy. After detatching himself and disposing of at least two enemy pockets of three to six men with machine guns he paved the way for the break-in to be made. He then led the assault on th barracks, which he cleared, accounting for 25 enemy killed and wounded, and taking between 30 and 40 prisoners.
A citation in the London Gazette of 23rd March 1945 stated that he showed personal bravery to an outstanding degree, and by his cunning leadership attained his objective at the cost of only one man killed, though fighting throughout against great odds.

Paddy retained his irreverent sense of humour throughout his long and fruitful life, often feigning disapproval of the word "cunning" in his citation. He would also mischievously explain that on being told he was awarded the DCM, he'd explained to his mother that it should have been a DISTRICT COURT MARTIAL.

His award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal was announced in London Gazettes https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36994/supplement/1542

nb. There are some sources that show his first name erroneously as Peter. His first name was indeed Patrick.