YOUNG GUNNER’S BRAVE FIGHT

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23494, 24 November 1941, Page 9

YOUNG GUNNER’S BRAVE FIGHT

(8.0. W.) RUGBY, November 22. A little Grimsby trawler was recently attacked in the North Sea by a large German bomber.. The skipper was killed and the mate took command of the ship. An 18-ycar-old gunner, Cyril Rawlings, opened fire on the attacker, which was obviously hit and made off, losing height and giving out smoke. Then Rawlings collapsed. He had been hit four times in the legs, but had not said a word and continued the fight at his gun. Some days later the trawler was back fishing in the same position where she had been attacked, and when the trawl was slung inboard there was a piece of the tail of an aircraft in it.