From the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers' journal, the Sprig of Shillelagh (chapter 'T Battalion in Sicily):

"The whole Battalion was inspired by the example and determination of their Commanding Officer."
The town was reported clear of the enemy at 3.30 a.m. "D" Company who had been ordered to work along the ridge after the occupation of Point 664, found it clear of the enemy and made contact with "C" Company at Point 709.
At 6.30 a.m. on the 3rd August Battalion Headquarters moved into the town and "B" Company also came in from the East. It had not been a very pleasant Bank Holiday.
The road being open, rations and "S" Company were brought up. The Battalion had a breakfast they had earned, with plenty of wine gratefully supplied by the civilians, who, although their houses had been reduced to rubble, greeted us with open arms.
The casualties for this hazardous achievement were not so heavy as might have been expected. We had lost Lieut. Morrow and eight other ranks killed, four officers and thirty six other ranks wounded. The Commanding Officer was awarded the D.S.O.; Major Crocker and Lieut. Hewitt, "A" Company, and Lieut. M‘Clinton, "D" Company, the M.C., while L/Cpl. Apling, also of "D" Company, received the M.M.

The attack on Centuripe. (Permission to share this map has been obtained from the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers' museum)
This is an extract from the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers' journal, the Sprig of Shillelagh (chapter 'T Battalion in Sicily', an account from the Battalion, with extracts from the official Citations for Awards added in inverted commas). The Regiment's museum has given permission for this extract to be added to this website.
A night march over the hills on the 30th and another night march over the hills on the 31st brought us on to the hills overlooking Catenanuovaorganised, which was being taken by another Brigade in the Division. "A" and "B" Companies took up a defensive position on the right flank of the Division and "C" and "D" Companies under the command of the Royal Irish Fusiliers, were in Brigade reserve on our left. So at last we had caught up with the battle and many that night beard and saw shots fired in anger for the first time, and beheld the battle area ablaze with enemy transport and dumps which had been set alight by our artillery.
An afternoon march on 1st Aug., 1943, took us through minefields, over blown bridges, through Catenanuova to a late enemy H.Q. north of the town, which must have been hastily evacuated as much equipment transport, dead Bosche and marked maps were found.
So here we were, only a mile away from the forward troops, and we expected to be pushed through the Brigade in front next day. And so it proved. A message was received about midnight that breakfast was to be ready at 0330 hours, but the troops were not to be woken before orders were received. The C.O. spent the night at Brigade H.Q. so that he could hear the progress at Centuripe, which was being attacked during the night by that Brigade.
At 0400 hours on 2nd August, a message was received from the Commanding Officer by despatch rider that the Battalion was to move, and he himself arrived back almost at the same time.
The Irish Brigade was to advance to Centuripe, which was believed to have been captured during the night, and to make a bridgehead across the road to the north of it. Centuripe is a fair-sized town perched right at the top of a steep hill 2,000 feet high. A veritable fortress of a place, the hill, shaped like an "E" tumbled over, with the prongs towards us. The only road to the west of Etna zig-zagged its way up through the town and it was therefore vital to future operations, that the place should be captured as soon as possible.
Soon after first light the Battalion, less "S" Company, started to advance by tracks to Centuripe - an advance of 6,000 yards with a climb of 2,000 feet. The tracks were too bad even for mules, so there was nothing for it but to hump everything we could carry - wire-less set, spare batteries, ammunition, and all platoon weapons. Luxuries, like supporting weapons, tools to dig in with, rations and water, had to be left behind. Each man carried a tin of bully and a packet of biscuits rolled up in his gas cape. Small packs were not taken owing to the heat.
The "Faughs" were advancing parallel to us up the main road on our left. The Battalion wound its way in single file - five yards between each man - round the tracks, with "C" Company (Major Savage) leading, followed by Battalion H.Q., then the three other rifle companies, the Company Commanders being at Battalion Headquarters.
At about 0845 hours "C" Company came under mortar and rifle fire from the left flank and took up a position on Point 640, where they were also fired at from the ridge on the South-east of the town. Point 640 was the last crest before Centuripe itself - about 500 yards away.
So it was painfully apparent that the night attack on Centuripe had failed. No detailed Brigade plan has been laid on for this eventuality, but we had been warned that it was a possibility. So there we were and there was nothing to do but to get on with the job.
Battalion Headquarters was established immediately behind "C" Company and the remaining Companies and the R.A.P. closed up under cover while recces were carried out. Immediately in front of "C" Company was Point 708 which dominated our position and the following plan was adopted. "D" Company (Captain Duddington) followed by "B" Company (Major Bayley) moved to the ridge on our right flank -about 1,200 yds. away - to seize the position at the top of the ridge called Point 664. This ground was vital to the enemy defence. Opposition from here proved to be strong and included a light flak weapon; consequently our progress was held up at a distance of about 400 yards from the objective.
The heat had now become intense and on account of this, the shortage of water and the steepness of the mountain, it was decided to postpone any further attack until the relative cool of the afternoon.
About 4 p.m. "D" Company were fired at by a unit of another Brigade who were attacking a feature to their right rear. Contact was eventually established but they were again fired at later in the day, and this naturally retarded their proposed attack.
Meanwhile fire on "C" Company had died down on both flanks and the spur in front of them showed no signs of occupation. It was a desperate-looking venture in view of the ground and the obvious intention of the enemy to hold the town. But a plan was concocted to get into Centuripe by the front door so to speak, since both the side doors (the spur that "B" and "D" Companies were on to the right, and the spur that the "Faughs" were on to the left) were firmly barred.
Consequently at about 4.30 p.m. Battalion Headquarters move3 up to Point 640 and "C" Company with artillery support moved forward, scaled a 100-foot cliff to Point 708 and succeeded in gaining a foothold in the town. "A" Company (Major Crocker) followed but owing to an unfortunate mishap, they were without artillery support and were fixed on from both flanks. Major Crocker, however, reorganised his Company and they passed through "C" Company into the town. Here they soon encountered strong enemy resistance, including a Mk. III tank, and bitter house-to-house and close-quarter fighting ensued.
"Major Crocker after leading his Company up an almost vertical cliff under heavy cross-machine-gun fire then organised it at the summit still under fire, with complete disregard for his personal safety, and led it into the centre of the town, where it encountered an equal number of a German parachute unit.
"In the ensuing hand to-hand fighting Major Crocker continued to display conspicuous gallantry and leadership and conducted the battle with the greatest, skill.
"Although wounded and suffering from loss of blood he refused to leave his Company and remained with it through the night during which the enemy withdrew."
Sergeant Phillips also greatly distinguished himself in this fighting:
"Almost immediately on entering the town the Platoon Commander of the leading platoon was severely wounded and Sergeant Phillips assumed command. He immediately continued to advance and sweeping aside opposition gained the main square where the platoon was attacked by an enemy tank. In spite of this Sergeant Phillips managed to push further forward. The enemy then launched a counter-attack which isolated this platoon from the remainder of the Company. Sergeant Phillips, however, displaying powers of leadership above the average, organised his platoon on a strong defensive position without orders of any kind from his Company and succeeded in repelling all attacks.
"By his courage and leadership he undoubtedly assisted very materially in the capture of the important position."
"C" Company was then ordered to move to the right and occupy Point 709, which controlled the ridge to the east of the town. This was done, but the enemy somehow
got between "A" and "C" Companies and the situation became confused.
In the midst of this confusion a very junior officer, Lieut. E. B. S. Hewitt, found himself in command of his Company, which
"Having succeeded in fighting its way against opposition into the centre of the town had established itself in the main square. At 2030 hours the Officer Commanding went off to carry out a reconnisance and to co-ordinate a plan with a second Company now in the town. During this he was wounded and Lieut. Hewitt took over command of the Company. Throughout the evening and night the enemy counter-attacked and pressed forward their attack with great determination. Although access to the houses could not be gained, Lieut. Hewitt, regardless of personal danger and with an example of courage which was an inspiration to all, succeeded in repelling all attacks and later organised patrols further into the town until his Company Commander returned.
"Had it not been for this officer's devotion to duty and power of leadership it is improbable that the hold on the town could have been maintained during the night"
Meanwhile, at 5.30 p.m., "D" Company supported by "B" Company, had started their attack on the farm at Point 664.
"Although the approaches were extremely difficult and up steep terraced and rocky slopes, Lieut. M'Clinton directed and led his platoon, under intense fire, with such skill and determination that he succeeded in capturing the objective. The success of this operation was undoubtedly due to the personal courage and power of leadership of Lieut. M'Clinton."
Corporal Apling was also decorated for gallantry on this occasion.
"When the platoon detailed to attack the farm went into the assault L/Corpl. Apling took the lead, and with great determination and gallantry scaled a high rock terrace at the top of which were two enemy machine-gun posts, and closed with them, driving the enemy out.
"His spirited action was largely instrumental in the capture of this dominating strong point held by a platoon of the enemy.
"When the enemy counter-attacked after a few minutes with grenades and a bayonet charge L/Corpl. Apling displayed the greatest coolness and firmly waited for the attack to come on."
The position, however, was really untenable by day, being covered by accurate fire at short range and the Platoon having been driven off it again by a well organised counter-attack, it was decided to wait until dark.
A further attack was launched by "B" Company after dark, but it was found that the enemy had withdrawn.
Lieutenant Ferris, "D" Company, and Lieutenant Harper, "B" Company, were wounded during this attack.
While our attack was going on the "Faughs" and L.I.R. with heavy artillery support were clearing the ridge on our left and joining up with us in the town in the morning. Battalion Headquarters spent an unpleasant night on Point 708.
"The success of the operation as largely due to the skills, determination, and complete disregard of danger displayed by Lieut.-Colonel Grazebrook.
"In exposed positions and under heavy mortar and machine-gun fire and continual and accurate sniping , he handled his Battalion with a sure hand, never relaxing pressure throughout a hard day and gradually overcoming the resistance of a determined enemy in perfect defensive positions.
"The whole Battalion was inspired by the example and determination of their Commanding Officer."
The town was reported clear of the enemy at 3.30 a.m. "D" Company who had been ordered to work along the ridge after the occupation of Point 664, found it clear of the enemy and made contact with "C" Company at Point 709.
At 6.30 a.m. on the 3rd August Battalion Headquarters moved into the town and "B" Company also came in from the East. It had not been a very pleasant Bank Holiday.
The road being open, rations and "S" Company were brought up. The Battalion had a breakfast they had earned, with plenty of wine gratefully supplied by the civilians, who, although their houses had been reduced to rubble, greeted us with open arms.
The casualties for this hazardous achievement were not so heavy as might have been expected. We had lost Lieut. Morrow and eight other ranks killed, four officers and thirty six other ranks wounded. The Commanding Officer was awarded the D.S.O.; Major Crocker and Lieut. Hewitt, "A" Company, and Lieut. M'Clinton, "D" Company, the M.C., while L/Cpl. Apling, also of "D" Company, received the M.M.
The Divisional Commander personally congratulated the Battalion and went so far as to say that it had that day done better than any other Battalion in the Division.