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Jack Doucette
(Jean-Antoine Doucette)

Pte Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

Jack was baptised as Jean-Antoine, but he preferred to us the name Jack. I was able to get a copy of his military records from the archives, there I learned that he joined the Canadian Army on Dec 1st 1941 in Woodstock; N.B. his regimental number was G19441, his first unit was the Carleton & York Regiment he transferred to the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada after arriving in England. He had lied about his age, telling them that he was born on April 1st 1922 instead of 1924 which actually made him less than 18 when he signed up. This was not discovered until sometime in Dec 1942 at which time he was already in England. Jack embarked for overseas on the 1st of June1942 and disembarked on the 11th. Jack took some courses will in England, Im not sure what they were. Jack was like many a young men, he got himself into a bit of trouble, got caught for being AWOL a few times, did some detention and confined to barracks as well as having a forfeit in pay. Jack was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the France-Germany Star, the Defence Medal, War Medal, and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp. I dont know where these medals are now; I wish I could find them.

1939-45 Star

The France German Star

The Defence Metal

The War Medal

Canadian Volunteer Service Medal

Jack belonged to the 2nd Infantry Division, 6th Infantry Brigade C Company, Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada. Grandma wrote the then Queen of England asking that Jack be returned to Canada. Following is a copy of her letter and the answer that was sent to her after that is a copy of the telegram that Grandma received on the 27th of July telling her that Jack had been killed in action on the 21st.

Letter from Grandma Gertrude 4

Answer from Army Deputy Minister

Telegraphs announcing Jack's death Sequence of events for July 1944 1st of July 1944 the QOCHC were stationed near Barham Kent England. preparing to embark for France, a Church Parade was held on the 2nd prior to moving to a marshalling area, then on the 3rd the Highlanders split into two groups. Vehicle Party (Jack belonged to this group) left at 05:30 hrs for Tilbury Docks via London. Marching Party the second group left at 09:30 leaving Broome Park for Shepherds Well, Kent to board a train from Shepherds Well at 11:35 arriving in Isfield, Sussex at 13:10. Troops march to Sulton Hall near Lewes Sussex, the site of camp J6 and are quartered in tents, 8 other ranks or 4 officers per tent. The Fusiliers Mont-Royal where also in camp J6.

The 4th of July was a day of relaxation at camp J6 with the troops being entertained by the London Dance Orchestra, Cinema and a basketball game with the Cameron's defeating the Fusiliers Mont-Royal. At 19:00 hrs Movement orders for 07:00hrs are broadcasted over the public address system. The 5th was a fair day with light winds and good visibility. Marching Party: The Cameron's are paid 200 francs per man and given 48 hrs ration packs along with emergency rations, water purification tablets and cigarettes. Vehicle Party: 07:00 hrs. The troops are loaded on to TCVs (Troop carrying vehicle) and are taken to Tilbury Docks where they embark on the USOS 0923 WILL ROGERS a Liberty Ship under the command of Lt Col N H Ross. The Will Rogers weighed anchor at 10:00 hrs and arrived at the convoy rendezvous point (RV) at 12:45 hrs. 06 July was a clear, sunny and warm day. Marching Party: 06:30 hrs the battalion is broken up into craft loads and board LCI (Landing Craft Infantry) LCI (L) 344 under cmd of Maj J Runcie MC Leaves at 09:00 hrs LCI (L) 345 Maj R L Rutherford 09:50 hrs LCI (L) 339 Maj EP Thompson 13:15 hrs The convoy leaves with 9 LCIs for the beachhead, through rough seas several cases of sea-sickness. Slight air activity during the night. Vehicle Party: The Will Rogers remained in the Thames Estuary until 20:00 hrs when the convoy weighted anchor to the sound of Pipe Major McLeod playing The Farewell to Gibraltar. A few bombs exploded in the convoy area during the night. 07 July Cloudy, warm with a light breeze. Marching Party: The Convoy arrived at the beachhead at 07:00 hrs; they disembark at Graye sur Mer Calvados France at 10:15 hrs. The troops were marched from the bridgehead to the concentration area near Ryes, and dug in around the hedgerows. Vehicle Party: Arrived near the French coast at 20:00 hrs and dropped anchor offshore at 23:45 hrs. 08 July: Overcast, Visibility moderate with a warm light wind.

Cameron on Landing Crafts (Jack could be in this picture)

"B Company Landing at Graye sur Mer

Graye sur Mer Today Vehicle Party: Started unloading at 08:30 hrs landing at Graye sur Mer after off loading the vehicle party rejoin the marching party at the concentration area near Ryes.

09th July: Cloudy, visibility moderate, intermittent rainfall. The battalion stayed in the Ryes area, church parades were held, and a lecture was given to the battalion by the Corps Commander. 10th July: Cloudy, Visibility good, light wind. On the evening of 11 July, the unit moved to the vicinity of Rots and then relieved the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada at Carpiquet the next day.

Troops in Carpiquet 12th July 1944 The next six days the Battalion spent digging in to avoid enemy shelling and patrolling to root out enemy snipers and remnants. On 19 July, the Battalion left Carpiquet for an assembly area across the Orne River in preparation for the start of Operation Atlantic the next day. On the way to the start line the Battalion suffered casualties from enemy artillery and mortar fire. The Camerons launched their attack on Saint Andre sur Orne from Fleury-sur-Orne, supported by artillery and Typhoon squadrons. "A" Company advanced on the right with "B" Company left,

"C" Company in depth and "D" Company in reserve. No tanks accompanied the attacking infantry but a squadron of tanks from The Sherbrook Fusiliers was allotted to the Camerons for counter-attack. The attack did not start well. The Officer Commanding Headquarters Company, Captain H. Grundy and the Intelligence Officer, Lieutenant J. Maloney were both killed when an enemy 88 mm gun hit the scout car. The Battalion War Diary for June was lost with the vehicle. The loss of this command vehicle would hamper the Battalion's radio communications throughout the battle. "A" Company was held up 500 yd (460 m) from the start line, coming under intense machine gun fire. Suppressing the enemy machine gunners with artillery and medium machine gun fire from The Toronto Scottish Regiment, "A" Company was able to carry on. "B" Company encountered mild resistance and reached its objective advancing through the sniper, mortar and machine gun fire. As "A" Company had ended up somewhat to the right of their objective "C" Company was pushed through to fill the gap between "A" and "B". "C" Company they met no resistance until it reached the south end of the village. "D" Company moved up to secure the rear of the Battalion position. The enemy still held part of Hill 112 and continued to subject the Camerons to very heavy fire from west of the Orne. Heavy rain interfered with radio communications that were already affected by the loss of the scout car. With three companies forward, the Camerons held a wide frontage, so the Commanding Officer ordered "C" and "B" Companies to withdraw slightly to draw in the perimeter. "B" Company was shifting their positions when the Germans counter-attacked. The company managed to consolidate in their new position, but sustained significant casualties. As a result, the Commanding Officer moved "D" Company up to replace them, and moved "B" back as Battalion reserve. Elements of the I SS Panzer Corps counterattacked along the entire Battalion front, with especially heavy concentrations of infantry thrown against "A" and "D" Companies. Towards dusk a heavy counter-attack supported by eight Panzerkampfwagen V (Panther) tanks was launched against "D" Company. Three of the Cameron anti-tank guns were knocked out, but the Camerons destroyed two of the panzers with PIATs (Projector Infantry Anti-Tank). "D" Company was overrun and forced to withdraw to link up with the remains of "B" Company. Overnight on 20-21 July "A" and "C" Companies beat back repeated counter-attacks. At times the opposing forces were within shouting distance of each other. In the morning, further counter-attacks by small groups of tanks were fought off on the left flank in "C" Company's area. 10 Platoon of "B" Company was entirely cut off from the rest of the Battalion as the battle raged around the perimeter of the orchard. A company of German infantry that had infiltrated across the river overnight launched a series of small attacks against the Battalion Headquarters, which were beaten off with many prisoners being taken by "A" Company and the Scout Platoon. The Germans continued to counter-attack on 22 July, but their strength was reduced. Attacks by two or three tanks supported by small groups of infantry were beaten off throughout the day. At one point "A" Company was forced to withdraw, but with the assistance of heavy artillery support, counter-attacked and regained their positions. 11 Platoon was sent from "B" Company to reinforce "C" Company in driving off an enemy attack and remained under command of "C" Company, taking up defensive positions on the left flank. In between counter-attacks the Germans subjected the Cameron positions to heavy shelling with

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artillery, mortars and Nebelwerfers (rockets). By 23 July the counter-attacks had dwindled to minor infiltrations that were easily handled and the Germans resorted to increased shelling. "C" Company was so reduced by this time that the remainder of 10 Platoon was sent from "B Company to reinforce it. The Camerons suffered heavy casualties in the fighting for Saint-Andr-sur-Orne: 52 wounded (including the Commanding Officer and the Officer Commanding "B" Company) and 29 killed. Company Sergeant Major Sutherland and Private G. T. Munroe were each awarded the Military Medal for their actions at Saint-Andr-sur-Orne and the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel N.H. Ross, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his handling of the Battalion throughout the battle.

2nd Infantry Division

8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars) 4th Infantry Brigade The Royal Regiment of Canada The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry The Essex Scottish Regiment 4th Infantry Brigade Company, R.C.A.S.C. 4th Infantry Brigade Workshop, R.C.E.M.E. 5th Infantry Brigade The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada Le Rgiment de Maisonneuve The Calgary Highlanders 5th Infantry Brigade Company, R.C.A.S.C. 5th Infantry Brigade Workshop, R.C.E.M.E. 6th Infantry Brigade Les Fusiliers Mont-Royal The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada The South Saskatchewan Regiment 6th Infantry Brigade Company, R.C.A.S.C. 6th Infantry Brigade Workshop, R.C.E.M.E. The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Machine Gun) 4th Field Regiment, R.C.A. 5th Field Regiment, R.C.A. 6th Field Regiment, R.C.A. 2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, R.C.A. 3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.C.A. 1st Field Park Company, R.C.E. 2nd Field Company, R.C.E. 7th Field Company, R.C.E. 11th Field Company, R.C.E. 2nd Infantry Divisional Signals, R.C.C.S.

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2nd Infantry Divisional Troops Company, R.C.A.S.C. No. 10 Field Ambulance, R.C.A.M.C. No. 11 Field Ambulance, R.C.A.M.C. No. 18 Field Ambulance, R.C.A.M.C. No. 2 Infantry Divisional Ordnance Field Park, R.C.O.C. No. 2 Infantry Troops Workshop, R.C.E.M.E.

Jack was killed on the 21st of July 1944 during the battle for St. Andre-sur-Orne. On his military death certificate the date is shown as unknown, but buried on the 28th of July, on the New Brunswick certificate of Registration of Death and his Service and Casualty Form, it states the 21st of July 1944 as date of death. Im a bit confused as to the delay in his burial if he was killed on the 21st July why was he not buried until the 28th July. On the military death certificate it said that he was originally buried in a Flurey-sur-Orne (023649), in walled garden next to the caves I believe that he was moved to the Canadian Temporary Cemetery in Mondeville probably on the 28th of July 1944 and he was re-interred in Canadian War Cemetery Bretteville-sur-Laize Calvados France. Grave Reference: XI. E. 2 on 28th April 1945. (Ref: Commonwealth War Graves Commission). I have discovered that the (023649) refers to a grid on the Modified British System using the coordinates translator and the French Lambert Zone 1 VU023649 gives me a lat/long of N49.15238 W-0.37364 which falls right in Flurey-sur-Orne within a 100 meters from these caves.

The Caves in Flurey-sur-Orne 12

Aerial view of the area around the caves

Canadian War Cemetery Bretteville-sur-Laize Calvados 13

This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in the department of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lays 3 kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4th Canadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off the German divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost every unit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in this Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forces casualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site. There are 100 Queens Own Buried in Canadian War Cemetery Bretteville-sur-Laize, 21 of them died on the 21st of July 1944.

Jacks Grave 14

Link to a video on my visit to Jacks grave site in September 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0sNGjkNh0

The following paragraphs are taken from the personal war diary of Reverend T.R. Davis, M.A., B.D., and D.D and dated 17th July 1944. This is around the time when Jack was killed. He was also in Fleury-sur-Orne on the 20th he may have been there for Jacks first burial. I had nine voluntary services yesterday and the attendance was almost 100%. Men dont have to be compelled to go to church in the present circumstances. As a matter of fact, I had requests for services which I was unable to fill. Perhaps the most successful service of the day was held in a shell hole. You will think that the congregation must have been very small, but 30 of us sat in this cavity and there was plenty of room. I walked around the rim of the hole and it took me 45 steps to get around. It was about 12 feet deep so that we could stand up and still be concealed. The lads called it their Rose bowl, and had it fixed up for the service before I arrived. The last service of the day was one to be remembered because of the manner in which the lads sang Abide with me. My message was based on an experience I had on the previous day. I had visited the church in Carpiquet that had been completely wrecked. There was little left except rubble and I tried to imagine what it had been like before the shells landed. Someone had been there ahead of me and had attempted to restore the altar. The base was there with the carved figure of a lamb. Above this there was a cross but the image of Christ had been blown off. The empty cross had been put in place and the shattered figure had been gathered up and placed on the pedestal at the foot of the cross. I knew that someone with a sense of value had visited the place and had performed this act of reverence. I discovered later that it was lads from my own battalion. The theme of my message was that there is some hope for a world when there are people who recognise that some things have to be preserved and are willing to make some effort to save these things from the rubble. It is depressing to see so much destruction and it is very easy to become cynical. The hope of the future is in the people who see that some things do matter and who are willing to put forth a bit of effort to see that they are preserved and furthered. We passed through the rubble of Caen on the 18th of July. I put on my respirator to protect myself from the smell of death and corruption. We moved southward along the bank of the Orne River and prepared for the assault on St. Andre-sur-Orne. In the few days that followed there was rain, mud, and machinations of the enemy that caused the jitters in some and anxiety for all of us. They were sad days because we saw so many of our friends evacuated to hospitals or to that realm that we knew was more peaceful than ours. It was on the evening of July 20th, after a terrible day at the Regimental Aid Post, that I wandered by myself to the village of Fleury-Sur-Orne. I wanted to be alone and I had my opportunity. The village was deserted. I looked at the church building with the walls still standing. I read a few of the inscriptions on the walls. I was reminded of my boyhood days in Quebec and found my ability to read the language very rewarding. The darkness was coming on so I decided to return to my blankets at the roadside. I knew that I would miss the nightly chat with Jim and Howard. Both of them had been killed that day. I didnt need a souvenir to remind

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me of the day, but I remembered my sermon of Sunday before and picked up a piece of glass from the rubble around the Fleury church. It was a small square piece of orange colour. It took up little space in the pocket of my battle-dress tunic. I returned to the friends that were left. It was a horrible night with flares lighting up the sky and enemy planes flying low and sprinkling the area with machine-gun fire. I tried to find some protection behind some bales of hay, trusting that tracer bullets would not set them aflame. It was a relief when daylight returned. In the early morning, our men began checking over the territory that had been won the previous day. When they were going through the church at Fleury, they found seven German soldiers hiding in the balcony. They had hidden there to let the war pass them by. They were frightened lads. They must have been there when I was prowling about on the previous night. If I had known of their presence there would have been eight frightened men instead of seven. During the remaining days of July 1944, we were held up in the same general area. The enemy was resisting fiercely. Our casualties were heavy and my days were filled with the sad task of burying the dead.

Picture of the stain glass window made from the pieces of glass that The Reverend Davis picked up from different churches in France

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WAR DIARY QUEENS OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA APPENDIX 6 ON THE CAPTURE OF ST ANDRE-SUR-ORNE 1. On the 19th July the Bn was concentrated in the village of Carpiquet. 2. At 1500 hrs the Bn was ordered to move at 1700 hrs to an assembly area on the western outskirts of CAEN with the object of preparing a night attack. The Bn arrived in the concentration area about 1830 hrs and were immediately ordered to proceed to SOUTH to the area FLEURY-SUR-ORNE. At approx2000 hrs the BN was advised the plan had been changed and the Bn was therefor assembled at map ref 629660 and the decision was that the attack must go in the following day. The plan was as follows: 3. Object: To seize and hold the town of ST ANDRE-SUR-ORNE Plan: Right A coy. Left B. Follow up C. Rear D coy.

Objectives: A coy- To seize and hold the orchards on the side of the road as far forward as the main rd running between ST Andre-sur-Orne and Hubert-Folie. B coy To seize and hold perimeter immediately EAST of the main rd and clear down SOUTH to rd ST Martin de Fontenay Verriers. C Coy To push through A and clear rd St Martin de Fontenay / Verrieres and to retire to perimeter immediately WEST of main rd in line with B coy. D coy To be prepared to take over any of the roads assigned to other companies.

Start Line: Was the line of road immediately NORTH of Pt 67 and the FUP immediately in rear of start line. The Battalion arrived in the FUP at 1000 hrs and was informed that H hr had been postponed from 1200 hrs to 1500 hrs. Hy Shelling and mortaring was experienced in the FUP causing some cas. Lt The Bn crossed the start line on time and proceeded fwd without event for the first 500yds. At this point communications received a severe shock and the WHITE SCOUT car was first knocked out of action and then blown up. A coy was the first to report any hold up. This was caused by enemy MG fire from the right flank. This was overcome by arty fire and later by MG fire from Pl of the TOR SCOTS situated in the quarry. B coy during this period encountered little or no resistance. When the landing coys had passed the quarry it began to rain very Hy and 18 set comm. gradually faded out. However the coys continued to push forward and secured their objectives without 17

too much opposition without too much opposition A coy moved somewhat to the right of the objective and accordingly the C O changed his plans and sent C coy to fill in the gap between A and B coys. On consolidation A coy moved further to the right thereby establishing a front from Church at 013612 incl. to Xrds 026613. With A coy right C coy centre B coy rear centre. It was considered that this was a rather wide front and C and B coys were ordered to withdraw slightly NORTH and draw in the perimeter. B coy had some difficulty during reorganization in countering local counter-attacks and suffered some cas but were able to consolidate. The CO therefore ordered D coy fwd to relieve B coy who was withdrawn inti Bn reserve. Counter attacks were then experienced over the whole front there being particularly hy inf counter attacks on A and D coy fronts. All were repulsed successfully until dusk a counter attack which included 8 Panther Tks was put in on D coy front succeeded in knocking out 3 A tk guns before we had time to reply however Piats accounted for two tks and the coy fought until almost overrun when they were withdrawn about 500 yds NORTH and linked up with B coy to hold the perimeter WEST of main rd. Counter attacks on A and C coys were attempted all through the night and some close fighting was experienced in places. Things became quit towards morning with exchanges of SA fire at intervals. Tks were spotted around 0900 hrs in various hold posn on the high ground to the EAST and SOUTH. 19 JULY 1944: At 1500 hrs Bn ordered to move from Carpiquet to area NW of CAEN. Immediately on arrival at conc. Area orders came to cross R ORNE to assemble for night attack. At approx. 20:00hrs plans were changed and the attack was postponed until the following day. B coy moved up forward position just NORTH of IFS and dug in preparatory to the schedule dawn attack on the village of ST ANDRE sur ORNE. The coy was mortared by Gerry while making up positions but suffered no casualties. The first contact by with the enemy.

20 July 1944: Plan for Attack was as follows OBJECT: To seize and hold town of ST ANDRE sur ORNE. PLAN: A coy right B coy left follow up C coy D coy reserve Objectives: A coy to seize and hold orchards on right of rd as far forward as road between ST ANDRE and HUBERT FOLIE. B coy seize and hold perimeter immediately EAST of main rd and clear SOUTH to rd ST MARTIN le FONTENAY Verriers then retire to perimeter WEST of main rd in line with B coy D coy to be prepared to take over any role assigned to other coys. Bn arrived at FUP at 10:00 hrs. NORTH of Pt. 67. Attack was postponed from 1200 hrs to 1500 hrs. At approx. 100 hrs Bn was subjected to hy shelling and

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mortaring in FUP which continued until H hr. During the first part of this shelling the Bn suffered some cas incl. Lt J Dickson CPO who was wounded. The Bn crosses the SL on time still under enemy shellfire. Rain started to fall quite hy at about H hr which eventually hampered W/T comm. Considerably. Shortly after 1500 hrs when the Bn had advanced approx. 500 yds the SCOUT CAR was blown up by enemy 88 mm gun fire and thus rear link comm. With 6 Bde severed Capt H Grundy, HQ COMD and LT J MALONEY IO were both killed in the SCOUT CAR. At approx the same time Lt P Plastow, D coy was wounded by shell fire. The adv. Continued as planned and the enemy SA fire encountered until A coy was temporaely held up by MG fire from the right flank. This was quickly over come by arty. Fire and later by MMG fire from TOR SCOTS from quarry on left of rd . The coys continued to push forward. and secured their objectives. A coy moved to the right of their objective and the CO accordingly sent C coy in to fill the gap between B and A coys. On consolidation A coy moved further right thereby establishing a front from Church at 013612 including crossroads. 026613 with A coy right C coy centre and B left D coy rear centre. The CO considered this rather wide front and C and B coys were ordered to withdraw slightly NORTH and draw in the perimeter. B coy had some difficulty during reorganization in countering local counter attacks but despite some cas were able to consolidate D coy was ordered fwd to relieve B coy who were withdrawn to Bn reserve. Counter attacks were experienced over the whole front being very hy on A and D coy posn. particularly. All were successfully repulsled until toward dusk a hy. Attack incl. 8 Panthers was put in on D coy front. 3 of our Atk. Guns were KOd before the coy could bring PIATS into play.. PIATS KOd 2 tks when the the posn was almost overrun. The withdrew approx 500 yds and linked up with B coy to hold the perimeter WEST of the main rd. Counter attacks were experienced by A and C coys all through the night and some very close fighting took place. The attacks lessened towards dawn with SA fire taking place intermittently. Lt Beech was wounded at 1600 hrs and also Lt Ridgeway at 2030 hrs. 21 JULY 44: At approx 0230 hrs two enemy vehicles proceeding NORTH on rd to FLEURY sur ORNE were engaged with PIATS by carrier Pl. Both were KO and crews Killed Sgt McCrae got the first one which turned out to be a RED CROSS half track carrying AMN and Cpl Stechyson got the 2nd which was a tk breakdown vehicle. At approx 0500 hrs five enemy sneaked up behind the breakdown vehicle (thinking they were unobserved by us) One came out with his hands up and was challenged by Cpl Stechyson. Mortaring of our posns commenced and personnel improved their trenches during the day. The ones behind the vehicle broke and ran in a SE direction across the field as did the one who came out with his hands up. Cpl Stechyson shot him dead but the others eluded capture although the sec went out after them and

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fired several rds. At 0900 hrs enemy tks were spotted on high ground to the east and south. Small tk attacks were met and overcome on left flank and in C coy area. A coy of enemy inf which infiltrated across the river to rear of Bn posn attempted to attack our posn in small numbers. These were rapidly thrown out and many PW were taken by A coy and the scout Pl. Many minor counter attacks were beaten off And the Bn posn was hy mortared. Lt Le Fevre was wounded on this day. All day a tk battle raged around the perimeter of the orchard and 10 Pl was completely cut off from the rest of Bn and endured hy cross fire from tks and MGs but fortunately no cas. The coy did suffer cas, fatal and otherwise from enemy 88mm gun fire and mortars. In the evening Piat patrols were sent from the coy to the SOUTH of the village to engage the tks which moved in. The patrols were unsuccessful due to hy tk MG fire which drove both them and the fwd pl of C coy back. Under cover of darkness, 10 Pl withdrew back to the orchard for a rest.

22 JULY 44: The enemy attacked the posn of the house at 0600 hrs was held by 11 Pl and were driven back, several cas suffered. A sec of 10 Pl under Cpl J C Woodward came up to reinforce the defence of 10 Pl were attached to C coy. Ten MK IV specials and Panther Tks were seen on our left flank about 1000 yds off but no attempt was made to fire on us until approx 1000hrs. When they spotted our tks and Atk guns they opened fire. This was the commencement of a tk battle which went on the entire day, during which we succeeded between our tks and A tk guns in KO about seven or eight enemy tks. On all coy fronts during the day small counter attacks were made by the enemy on C and A coy front using two or three tks in small bodies on Inf. All failed except one which forced A coy fwd INF to withdraw into the town. A counter attack was immediately teed up and the enemy were driven off and A coy re-established. At 1200 hrs the fwd troops of B coy were relieved by C coy and withdrawn to the main C coy posn. The men were given their first tea for 36 hrs and by an unlucky stroke of fate, 3 cas were suffered when mortar bombs came down while tea was being served. 10 and 11 Pls remained with C coy until evening when they withdrew and rejoined B coy in the Orchard. Meantime the remainder of B coy assisted the SCOUTS in clearing a copse, NORTH of the Orchard, of enemy snipers and held posns in preparation for enemy counter attacks. Cas were fairly hy including many from Nebelwefers. Cpl Perrin JAR wounded by mortar fire in back and arms and evacuated. Carriers 5 cwt is set on fire and burns completely. Carrier personnel mistake a Tk Sgt for enemy and shoot him dead. Maj Rutherford was wounded during the morning, and in evening the comd offr was wounded (Lt Col N H Ross) returning from Bde O Gp. Maj J Runcie MC OC D coy assumed comd of the Bn at this time. Towards evening the situation became quieter, sporadic firing only taking place during the night. 20

23 July 44: On the 23rd the enemy counter attacks lessened to minor infiltrations which were successfully handled. Considerable trouble was caused by an enemy 88 mm gun firing into D coy posns. which caused hy cas for a time and forced the coy to alter their posns slightly t o avoid obs by the enemy. At this time Lt Morrison who arrived as a reinf offr on the night of the 22nd was killed. Shortly after noon of the 22nd Capt WW Willson acting OC of A coy, was killed by arty fire. During The early morning the Mortar P1 was moved from the quarry on the l eft side of the rd to the rear of the Bn area and during the move considerable enemy was encountered from the quarry itself. The following morning the Tor Scots MGs destroyed a patrol of approx 25 men which had occupied the quarry as the mortar P1 left it. 24 July 44: Enemy activity during the 24th was mainly confined to very hy mortaring and shelling particularly on the Bn Hq and rear coy posn. During the day the Bn was given the task o f completely clearing the area of St Martin on the left of the road. This attack was teed up under Maj. Lane and composed of a composite force of B and D coys. The P1 comds for this task were Lt D Rogers o A coy, Lt SA Chopp of c Coy Sgt McCree Sp coy and Sgt Nugent. H hr for the attack was 2045 hrs. Camerons placed under comd 5 BDE at Approx 1600 hrs. The above attak was to secure the SL for 5 BDE attack on MAY SUR ORNE and FONTAINE le MARMION. Stiff Opposition eas encountered as the force crossed the Sl and reinf were necessary during the night to ensure successs. During the attack Maj Lane and Lt Rogers were wounded. Lt Chopp was killed. Maj Thompson OC C coy was put in comd and by 0330 hrs H hr for BDE attack the SL was secured however it was 0630 hrs before the town was completely cleared. The attacking force occupied the area during the next morning.

25 July 44: During the day following the failure of the 5 BDE attack on May sur Orne elements of the BALCK WATCH REGT. And CALG HIGHs REGT WERE PLACED UNDER COMD CAMERONS of C and instr of 5 BDE comd were to occupy ST MARTIN in conjunct with the attacking force of B and D coys. Under comd Maj EP Thompson A/CO. The complete force was given the task of holding the occupied ares. This protecting the left flank of the R de Mais Regt who were to attack MAY sur ORNE from the right flank of the CAMERONS positions. This attack eas put in at 1900 hrs andproved unsuccessful. During the night elements of the R de Mais returned to the CAMERONS area and on instruction from 5 BDE Comd the R de Mais took up defence positions in ST MARTIN, thus relieving B and D coyso of the CAMERONS and the BLACK WATCH and CALG HIGHs elements. Lt. P Kenway wounded by shellfire.

26 JULY 44: By 1000 hrs CAMERON Troups had been relieved from ST. MARTIN by R de Mais. CAMERONS were returned under Command 6 BDE at approx 1600 hrs 21

Heavy mortar and artillery encountered all the day. Lt Dunhar OC SCOUTS was briefed by CO for patrol to MINE. OBJECT to find entrance to mine and locate enemy defence positions. Patrol returned at approximately 0400 hrs having met heavy MG fire and unable to approach MINE for observation. 27 JULY 44: Enemy activity confined to light mortaring until approx 1100 hrs when concentrations were heavy until 1500 hrs.

Abbreviations: Bn Cas Comm Coy FUP Hrs Hy Inf KO Mg PIAT Pl Posn Pt PW Rd/Rds Rds Tk/Tks Xrds Yds A tk Bde O Gp Comm`

Battalion Casualty Communication Company Forming Up Point (or Position) Hours Heavy Infantry Knocked Out Machine Gun Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank Platoon Position Point Prisoner of War Road / Roads Rounds Tank/Tanks Cross Roads Yards Anti Tank Brigade Order Group Command

22

Enrolment Attestation

23

Record of Service

24

Record of Service

25

Statement of Service

26

Statement of Service

27

Statement of Service

28

Service and Casualty Form

29

Awards

30

Field Service Report of Death

31

Province of New Brunswick Certificate of Death

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Birth and Baptism Certificate

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Letter to Lillian His Sister March 1943

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The point described by the following "Modified British System" coordinates

French Lambert Zone 1 vU023649

has roughly (*) the following geographical coordinates :

Latitude : 49 09' 09'' N Longitude : 0 22' 25'' W

which equivalent in decimal degrees are : Latitude : 49.15238 Longitude : -0.37364

French Lambert Zone 1

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