Lieutenant-Colonel P.D. Daly
2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry

From the start to the finish of the campaign Lt Col Daly has been magnificent first as a staff officer and then as Bn commander. His inspiring leadership and personal bravery have been an inspiration to all ranks.

(D.S.O. citation, 24 January 1946)

Born on 22 November 1912 in Exeter, Devon, Patrick Dunsandle Daly was a commissioned officer with the Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry since 1932. During the Normandy campaign, he was brigade major for 185th Infantry Brigade in 3rd Division. In this role, “he distinguished himself as a first class staff officer and earned the respect and admiration of all those with whom he came in contact.”

In November 1944, Daly was appointed second-in-command of the 1st Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment where “he again proved himself in every way.” Daly transferred to the 2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, replacing Lieutenant-Colonel C.G. Millett who had been killed by an enemy booby trap on 20 December. As one officer remarked, as Daly had originally be DCLI, his appointment meant “it was still in the family.” Daly ended the war with a D.S.O. and retied from the army in 1958.

Daly died on 3 April 2005 in Sutton, Surrey.