War Diary: 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

The 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment August 1944 covers their time based in OUISTREHAM and movement to area Port en Bessin.

National Archive Reference: WO 171/1269

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Page 1 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
OUISTREHAMFRANCE	1		Order of the Day received from Colonel Montgomery 101 Beach Sub-Area
			on the final closing down and breaking up of the Beach Gps, thanking every- one for their good work and loyal co-operation, The Beach Gp sign
			known affectionately within the Bn as the WREN is ordered to be removed from Battle Dress and painted out on vehicles.
		0930	Visit of Div Comd 6 Airborne Div to Bn. Looked at posn occupied by 'D' Coy on the Docks and discussed future operational role. Suggested
			several changes and proposes to set it out in writing. 'A' Coy sent 50 men to act as guards to the bridges. over the river ORNE
			115762 coming under comd 4 SS Bde. Following Div Comd's visit and severance with 101 Beach Sub-Area Op Orders
			Nos 2 and 3 are cancelled. Adm arrangements now that Bn is under Corps. and not L of C are much
			improved. 3" mortar amn is drawn immediately without indent and all major deficiencies are made up.
	2	0800	B' Coy come under comd 6 Airborne Div attached to 52nd (2 Oxf Bucks) A tk Pl and Carrier Pl also come under comd 6 Airborne Div and take up HQ at 137702.
			3 of Pioneer Pl clearing minefield by 'S' Coy billets to make miniature range injured when mine explodes. One man 14400442 Pte Higgs S. being killed.
	3	0445	Total casualties up to 31 Jul now confirmed as 4 killed 49 injured. German naval rating captured by local AA on coast by Canal entrance. Sent to PW cage for naval interrogation. Believed to have come ashore on human torpedo.
		0550	Report that suspicious person had been seen in cornfield near crashed AC. Sentry fired on him but he ran away into cornfield which was believed
			mined.
		0800	A' Coy searched minefield for suspected German without result.

Page 2 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
3	1000	22 men from the Bn go to Corps Rest Camp for four days at MOUDINEAUX Map ref 969802.
	1300	Shelling of area starts. 48 shells land round about.
	1730	One German midget submarine beached at 083801. Warhead was missing. No dead or survivors.
	1800	Coy relief. 'C' Coy relieves 'D' Coy on def of docks. Every Coy now completed tour of duty on this def.	Appx 'A'
	1850	C' Coy phoned completion of adm move with 'D' Coy.
	2000	Shelling started again after a short Iull and docks area received a heavy pounding, one man 14365558 Pte Tomkins N. of 'C' Coy being killed by a shell.
	2030	Comd Offr went to investigate shelling etc at 'C' Coy and was wounded in the leg. He had just parked his jeep under the trees and was walking
		towards 'C' Coy along the side of the road when a shell landed and exploded approx 10 yards from him. The blast throw him to the ground.
		but despite the shrapnel in his leg he was able to get back to the jeep and drive it to the Mortar Pl office next to 'C' Coy where one of the
		Pl drove him back to the RAP for treatment. Wound is not very serious and he is taken to 6 Cdn Hospital.
		Altogether 7 persons were hit and 1 killed by the shelling. 50 shells were sent over.
		Gun team of A tk Pl all wounded and one killed when enemy mortar fire was brought down on site. Det took cover when a Cdn Machine Gunner
		nearby warned them that he was going to fire at a snipers' post. This firing brought the usual reply of mortar fire but as the det was
		concealed no casualties were caused. After it had all finished the det came up and were returning to their posts when one more bomb fell between two of them Ayres and Burks, killing Pte Ayres outright and wounding Pte Burks seriously. Det Comd Cpl Edwards, immediately ordered det to return

Page 3 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
3	2030	to slit trench at once, but before they could all get back another bomb landed and wounded them all. Cpl Edwards being the last into the trench was more severely wounded than the others. All were evacuated to 6 Cdn
		Hsptl and were due for evacuation.
	2045	Major Boehm assumes command of Bn pending the return of It Col E.A. Carse.
	2200	Shelling started again and continued spasmodically throughout the night.
4	0150	C' reports operational handover from 'D' Coy now complete. Handover
		hampered by incessant shelling of the canal bridge. No casualties but damage done to EAST side of Lock - not very bad.
	0900	Heard that Lt Col Carse will be evacuated to England and will be hors de combatior approx 5 weeks.
	1000	Corps and Airborne Div informed of casualty. Recce made for new adv Bn HQ othor side of R. ORNE. Warning order issued to 'S' and 'HQ' Coys	Appx "B"
	1500	Proposed move of Bn HQ postponed sine die in view of possible amendments to operational role. Awaiting instructions from 6 Airborn -Div
	1600	New entertainments programmes issued.	App "C (i)" and "C (ii) ".
5	0800	Shelling of area chiefly round the docks - no military damage or casualties suffered. About 20 shells fired.
	1000	Our own 3" mortars ranged on their DF Tasks - no recriminations encountered.
	1030	Informed by our QMS at Echelon that amendment No 4 to WE has been published although we have not yet received it, and makes provision for a Captain in the Mortar Pl: Mortar Officer Lieut Johnston accordingly promoted to Capt in ROs.
	pm	No decision yet taken regarding the appointing of a new commanding officer. Major Boehm meanwhile carries on as locum tenens.
6		Normal routine, No shelling to speak of just the odd one or two now and then.
	1500	Visit of Comd 1 Corps to Bn HQ. Only paid flying visit, stayed 10 mins.

Page 4 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
6	1600	Received instructions that further coy and 2 pls required the other side of R ORNE with effect from 7 Aug 44. Comd Offr decided to withdraw 'A' Coy from YORK BRIDGE and put in 'D' Coy there (50 men) and put whole of 'A' Coy into this new posn. Coy to come under 6 Airborne Div delegated to 49 Recce Regt and act as a sort of long-stop to the regt. Probable
		duration of stay said to be 3 days.
7	800	A' Coy took over new posns 'D' Coy took over YORK BRIDGE as arranged. All coys now committed operationally except half 'D' Coy which is resting and cleaning up.
	am	No shelling during morning.
	1300	Hinted by senior chaplain 7 Base Sub-Area that Ronnie Dix, our Padre, may be called to take up the post of Vicar of CAEN in the English Church there.
	1500	Comd offr and Adjt visited Col Carse in 6 Cdn Hsptl LA DELIVRANDE. Quite
		fit and well himself but will not be fit for duty for approx five weeks and will probably be evacuated to England within a few days.
		A further 23 men went off to 1 Corps Leave Camp at MOUDINEAUX 969802. Reports from last lot were excellent - a soldier's paradise with no
		parades!
8	am	LT Dunkley returned to Bn transferred to CMP not being accepted in view of shortage of infantry officers also 6 men loaned from 'A' Coy originally to CMP at LION SUR MER returned to Bn at our request in view of operational
		commitments of all coys now.
	pm	Normal routine. Mail arrived from England after lapse of 4 days.
9	0150	13 rockets fired by enemy from area FRANCEVILLE PLAGE on to docks. Eerie whistling sound but no damage done. First appearance of rockets up to date.
		Shelling also started with NIL results.
	1000	Padre Dix leaves Bn to take up post of resident Charlain to the Garrison Church at CAEN. (St Nicholas (British) Church) Sad day for the Bn after
		ten years continuous and faithful service.

Page 5 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
9	1000	Padre's personal farewell message to the Bn published in Regimental Orders,	Appx "E"
	1500	D' Coy come under comd 102 LAA and move to RANVILLE area - HQ at farm 118732. 'A' Coy take over bridges. again as originally instructed, All
		coys now committed operationally, only personnel left under comd 1 Bucks are balance of 'S' Coy (HQ and a few pioneer pl) and Bn HQ and 'HQ; Coy.
	1600	Carrier pl move to orchard 142699.
10	0210	FCP reports that two black objects out to sea north of harbour.
	0220	Black objects on being fired upon turned and made off seawards.
	0230	Two more rockets fired, aimed at area. of FCP where Bofors was firing. No damage.
	0500	Our own arty fired spasmodically throughout the night.
	pm	Normal routine.
	1950	D' Coy returned to normal location in res area at OUISTREHAM. Take over YORK BRIDGES over R ORNE.
11	am	Normal routine
	2230	Enemy plane crashed on a house behind 'S' Coy lines, occupied by Airborne rest camp. Burst into flames and the house was soon one mass of flaming
		rubble. Everyone lent a hand but despite fire brigades and ambulances which arrived on the spot quickly a total of 17 persons were killed in
		the house and a further 10 injured. Bombing and shelling during the afternoon. One shell landed in 'A' Coy
		old HQ in the town and one in the Square near to a queue of soldiers waiting for the NAFFI mobile van. No-one was occupying ('A' Coy at the
		time but Pte Higgins, one of Bn snipers was wounded by shrapnel in the
		hand and on removal to hospital had to have two fingers off.
	pm	L/C Teagle (A tk Pl) hit by mortar bomb near Pl HQ. Removed to hospital
		and subsequently had to have left arm off.

Page 6 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
OUISTREHAMFRANCE	12		Rev Duplock Padre (C of E) to local AA unit is ministering to Bn in place of Rev Dix.
		am	Shelling on docks
		pm	Normal routine
		2230	Advised by 1 Corps that the Bn has to supply draft of 3 officers (incl 1
			Capt) 150 ORs to 7 Argylles tomorrow morning at 1000 hrs. The blow, long awaited, has therefore at last fallen. Comd Offr decided, in view of
			operational commitments (ie 'B' 'C' and 'S' Coys in line) to draft from 'A' and 'D' Coys. 6 Airborne Div confirmed that this must be as others could
			not be released in time. Conference 'A' and 'D' Coy Comds called for 0030 hrs.
	13	0030	Conference held. Decided that 'A' Coy should go complete less Coy HQ and Coy Comd. Allowing for halt and sick etc. 'A' Coy could muster 90 bodies.
			Balance of 60 accordingly provided by 2 Pls (complete) of 'D' Coy. Offrs were to be Capt Hope, It Hands of 'A' Coy., and as there are no subalterns at present in 'D' Coy, Lt Shilling from 'C' Coy was chosen.
		0100	1 Corps phoned to say must be ready by 1400 hrs and NOT 1000 hrs.
		0130	Airborne agreed that guards supplied by 'A' and 'D' Coys on bridges shall be abandoned at dawn.
		0600	Bridge guards dismounted.
		0700	Bn tpt lifted 'A' and 'D' Coys back to original billets.
		0900	Comd Offr saw 1 Corps to try and obtain future policy regarding drafting and our operational role here. Nothing concrete available.
		1400	Draft leaves. Onthe whole men in excellent spirits knowing that they are going to 51st Div. The men have known for some time that we were likely to supply drafts so this was not altogether unexpected.
		1500	Lt Dunley finally posted to CMP. No 241 HQ Pro Coy (5 Beach Gp)
			Conference Coy Comds. All Coy comds told of present posn and Bn policy as far as known. Decided to eliminate Coy by Coy where possible rather than

Page 7 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
		Pls from each Coy.
14	am	Normal routine. No infm can be obtained as to the likelihood of further drafts in the near future. 'A' Coy move in with 'D' Coy.
	pm	Shelling commences again. No damage or casualties. Mortar bomb causes damage in Carrier PI area. Landed close to 2IC PI and 2 Sjts. One. Sjt
		(L/S Smith R.) committed to hospital, other two minor wounds, remain with Bn on duty.
	2350	Notified by 1 Corps that Bn is to move to CRESSERONS Map ref 042793
15	0800	Arrangements made with 6 Airborne Div to withdraw 'B' Coy, Carrier Pl, & A tk Pl from line in view of move. QM sent to recce new area.
	1600	Bn moves by Coys to new location.
	1615	Warned by 1 Corps that we are expected to find further draft of 8 offrs and 100 ORs by 1900 hrs tonight. Reply quite impossible in view of move. Finally arranged that draft will be ready by 1100 hrs 16 Aug 44.
	1800	Settling in at new area in orchard and fields.
	1900	Conference of Coy Comds. Decided that draft to be found from 'C' Coy (2 Pls) and 'D' Coy (1 Pl). Offr question still in abeyance.
	1905	1 Corps state only 3 offrs now required - all subalterns.
	1910	Offrs selected; 2/Lt R.C.B.M. Viney, Lt D.A. Chatham; Lt J.C. Soulsby. This now cleans out 'D' Coy and posn is 'A' and 'D' Coys - HQs only, 'C' Coy - 1 Pl and HQ, still complete.
	pm	Lt R.D. Moore promoted A/Capt in lieu of Capt Hope posted with previous draft.
		Thunderstorm and heavy rain starts - continues to approx 2300 hrs. All
		bivouacs etc flooded, Morale low!
16	am	Informed by 1 Corps that we are to be allowed to retain minimum cadre of
		5 offrs and 100 ORs.
	1100	Draft goes off in good spirits to 1st Bn Black Watch Regt.

Page 8 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
16	1400	Conference of Coy Comds etc to discuss minimum cadre.
	1500	Informed by 1 Corps that we are to be allowed to retain 12 vehs and adm eqpt only, remainder to be handed in.
		Minimum cadre statistics issued to all coys.	Appx "F"
	pm	Major H.H.H. Boehm officially appointed A/Lt Col in command of Bn w.e.f. 4 Aug 44, ie date of casualty of Lt Col E.A. Carse.
17	am	Cleaning up and settling in. Coy stores being prepared for handing in.
	1800	Further draft ordered, 1 offr and one Pl to 1/4 KOYLI (49 Div) 2 offrs and 2 Pls to 5 Seaforths (51 Div) and 1 offr and batman to 7 D.W.R. (49 Div) 'B' and 'C' Coys warned.
18	0700	6 Airborne Div rep arrived to loan tpt urgently required to move tps forward in view of German rapid withdrawal on their front past TROARN.
	0830	10 - 3 tonners and 10 - 15 cwts despatched to Airborne Div.
	1000	B' and Coys find the drafts ordered - 2 Pls. 'B' Coy with Lt E.S.
		Collins and Lt R.S. Corley-Pocook - 1 Pl 'C' Coy with A/Capt R.D. Moore. The offr for 7 D.W.R. to be Capt J.C. Fox (Sp Coy Comd). 'B' Coy draft go off in good spirits.
	1300	C' Coy draft and Capt Fox go off also in good spirits. Total numbers drafted to date 10 Offrs and 335 ORs. Bn is now left with Specialists
		Offrs only plus 4 Coy Comds and 1 2IC Rifle Coy, and specialist ORs plus 1 Pl 'B' Coy
		Visit from DAAG 1 Corps. Policy seems to be to draft specialist offrs in specialist jobs only and not to post them as rifle pl comds etc;
	1400	Adv party sent to GRENTHEVILLE - 1 Offr and 6 ORs to prepare ground for proposed move forward of Bn.
	2200	DAQMG 6 Airborne Div arrived to say our tpt which we lent this morning has now become SO involved that it will be quite impossible to extricate it for several days. Also states that 1 Corps have stated that they can keep the tpt as we have to hand in all our tpt and eqpt anyway.

Page 9 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
18	1700	QM sees ADOS about handing in eqpt as per instrs. Told that it is not required to be handed in. No-one really seems to know what is happening!
19	1000	It D. J.D. Defriez attached to 1 Corps as L.O (semi-permanent)
	1100	Lt Col Boehm goes to HQ Airborne to try and sort out the tpt question - can get no real satisfaction. General Gale, Comd 6 Airborme Div. officially applies to 1 Corps to use our Mortar P1 and Carrier Pl complete in an operational role.
	1300	OC Mortar Pl and Carrier PI warned accordingly to stand by.
	1500	Offr from GSD 1 Corps arrived to say we were to supply 10 - 3 tonners and 3 - 15 cwts to 7 Armd Div at ance.. Explained that all our 3 tonners were with	15
		Airborne which caused some surprise. GSD branch do not seem to be quite in the picture and are the odd lap or so behind. Agreed to send 2 - 3 tonners
		and 3 - 15 cwts immediately, and GSD said he would arrange for the return of
		our remaining 3 - tonners from Airborne.
	1910	Further visit by by Col Boehm to HQ Airborne. AQMG promised to get 3 - tonners. back. Still no news as to our future role.
	2000	Further message received from DDOS 1 Corps saying all eqpt and all vehs less 10 to be handed in. This is becoming quite a habit now., but we still have not handed anything in!
20	0930	CO and OM go to 1 Corps. On may over are met by agitated offr from Airborne
		who states that General Gale urgently wants to see them. Arrive at HQ Airborne to find that they want all our tpt and carriers for load carrying.
		CO explains it cannot be done as we have just had another order to hand them all in.
		CO and QM proceed to 1 Corps, sees DDOS and it is there arranged that stores need only be handed in as and when we like and if we like. The following infm is also obtained (i) Our future is likely to be garrison duties (ii) 21 Army Gp are now preparing a minimum cadre for the Bn - nos not yet specified (iii) There will be no further drafts till our future is settled, and the minimum cadre agreed (iv) We will remain present location until further notice.

Page 10 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
20	1500	It Col Gore, G1 Ops 21 Army Gp arrived to enquire if we had yet withdrawn all our men from Airborne Div. Explained that they had been withdrawn a week ago and since sent on draft. 21 Army Gp it appears knew nothing of
		this and were extremely surprised as we are apparently directly under 21 Army Gp and not 1 Corps. He hinted that we might be returned to OUISTREHAM
		in our original role of guarding the docks and that we would become a garrison unit later.
	2300	Started to rain hard and continued raining throughout the night. Enemy AC overhead. AA opened up - no bombs in our area.
21	0900	In view of weather coys move their men into buildings together with stores. Amendments 2, 3 and 4 finally received from O2E as special favour. No further news of future.
22		Comd offr visits Airborne Div. No chance of Mortar or Carrier Pl being
		used. Airborne want to retain the vehs as long-as possible. Still no news. Normal routine. LO goes to 1 Corps - no news.
23	am	CO and Adjt visit 5 Kings at LION SUR MER who are in the same state of (suspended animation' as ourselves. They still know. nothing.
	pm	CO and Adjt visit 101 Beach Sub-Area to see if they know anything. Comd 101 Beach Sub-Area accompanies CO and Adjt to HQ L of C where 'A' Branch
		assume that we have been under comd L of C since 1200 hrs 22 Aug. They also state that we are to have a minimum cadre and after a lot of humming
		and hawing the infm is dragged from them that eventually we are to receive new intakes of 'bomb happy' gentlemen and recruits from England to train as
		a future garrison. It was particularly stressed that this was still unofficial as 'officially' we must not be told anything. This statement
		produced a certain amount of righteous indignation from the Comd Offr who asked how we were to know who to retain on the cadre if we did not know our
		future role. Everyone said they couldn't agree more but 21 Army Gp had
		apparently decreed that we were to be kept completely in the dark, so that was that

Page 11 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
23		Highly unsatisfactory.
		Visited Reforsec and were shown the cadre consisting of 16 Offrs and 136 ORs. This stated that coy comds must go and the QM but we retained a
		skeleton Support Coy. Reforsec said that these men were urgently required and would be posted almost immediately, once we let them know our draft
		availability state. The posn regarding stores and vehs was still not cleared up.
24	0900	Conference of all comds and proposed minimum cadre given out.	Appx "G"
	1000	C.O. goes to L of C to clear posn re stores. Adjt goes to 1 Corps who do still not know that we are no longer under their command, and arranged for certain personnel who are attached to Corps Reception Camp to be released the following day.
	1400	CO on return from L of C announces we have been given the wrong cadre and we should be working on a cadre of 9 offrs and 72 ORs incl all Coy Comds and QM but no Sp Coy at all.
25	am	Conference all comds. New cadre ven out and all told that this is now firm. This leaves, after deduction of personnel attached away on 1 Corps duties and with Airborne Div, 6 offrs and 201 ORs.	Appx "H"
	1100	Rep from 2 Army Reforsec arrives to get our drafting figures. Arranged that Adjt will go over to 1 Corps with this rep and sort it all out as it appears that 1 Corps are to be given first chance of our drafts, but they must be posted to Bns by 26 Aug which has been given as a deadline date by 21 Army Gp for final posting of Bucks Bn.
	1400	Adjt and rep visit DAAG 1 Corps and after 4 hrs, arrangements are made with DAAG 51 Div to absorb 6 offrs and 169 ORs in the various Bns of 51 Div in their own specialist roles. Exact details are worked out on the spot as it appears there is no time for consideration. Protests are made but with no avail. Everyone agrees once more that the whole thing is quite ridiculous and entirely unnecessary, but that the powers that be have laid it down that it will be all completed by 26th, or else they will will all be posted to RHU'S.

Page 12 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information
		This is considered to be punishment worse than death. so arrangements are made to post them direct to Bns as asked, despite short notice. It is arranged that tpt shall collect from this HQ at 1000 hrs 27 Aug 44
	1800	CO visits 5 Kings to learn that on the same day as the 'Bucks' drafted offrs and men to 51 Div and 1/4 KOYLI, they, the 'Kings', had drafted men to 1
		Bn Oxf Bucks. This despite General Montgomery's letter saying that 'all due consideration would be given to Regimental Associations'. Not very. encouraging.
26	0900	Conference for commanders and details of drafits given out.
		1 Gordons 4 Offrs 78 ORs
		5 Black Watch 1 offr - ORs
		5/7 Gordons - Offrs 14 ORs
		152 Inf Bde HQ - Offrs 3 ORs
		2 Seaforths - Offrs 29 ORs
		5 Seaforths - Offrs 23 ORs
		5 Camerons 1 Offr 22 ORs
		Totals 6 Offrs 169 0RS
		This now leaves the Bn with its minimum cadre of Offrs and 72 ORs plus RMO and 32 ORs who are still available for drafting. 106 ORs and 6 Offrs are
		attached away and not available for drafting at present. The balance of 32 ORs are to remain with Bn until specially called for and not to be posted to
		RHU. It is usual to post them to RHUs but this concession was obtained from
		Reforsec 2 Army.
	1000	CO visits 11 L of C to whose comd we have been delegated by L of C and is told that we are to be under 4 L of C Sub-Area and directly under 101 Beach Sub-Area, and are to move to PLANET Map ref 7886
	1400	Major J.N. Kaye sent off to recce new area. Decided to move on Monday and get rid of surplus stores immediately. All Sp Coy stores to be handed in less cooking eqpt, and all amn less personal scale.

Page 13 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
27	0900	6 ORs plus cook sent an to PLANET as Adv party.
	1000	Tpt for move laid on with 11 L of C in view of lack of own tpt on loan to Airborne Div.
	1030	Drafts for 51 Div depart. This draft consists of most of the old 'originals' of the Bn from pre-war Territorial days and is a very sad
		day for the Bn. They all go off in good heart neverhheless. Total drafts to date amount to 16 offers and 504 ORS.
	1400	Comds conference. Details of move given out verbally. In view of lack of tot a shuttle service has to be run, so Bn must start early. Present
		available tpt amounts to 8 - 15 cwts and 10 - 3 tonners (on loan from 11 L of C).
	1800	All our 15 cwts (12 in all) return from Airborne Div.
28	0600	10 - 3 tonners arrive for loading. 'B' Coy leaves first at 0755 hrs then
		C' Coy 0805 hrs then 'D' Coy 0815 hrs then 'A' Coy at 0845 hrs and 'HQ' Coy at 0930 hrs,
	pm	QM stores moved on second trip. Move completed by 1700 hrs.
29	am	Balance of 'S' Coy personnel transferred to HQ Coy. 'S' Coy books and affairs wound up. 2 - 3 tonners on loan to Airborne Div return. All our dvrs less carrier dvrs are now back with us which means a further 13
		available for drafting! 'HQ' Coy now consists of Bn HQ, Sigs Pl, Adm Pl (incl Carrier and A tk remmants),Pnr Pl.
	pm	Standing Orders for Bn while at PLANET issued	Appx "I"
		Definite news received of death of Capt J. A. Hope in action while serving with 7 Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Capt Hope was first offr to be drafted when 'A' Coy went complete less its HQ on 13 Aug. He was killed on 17 Aug during an advance to ST JULIAN. Full details are not available but it seems that fairly heavy casualties were suffered by 'A' Coy in the attack.

Page 14 of 15

Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
30	am	Bn settling in. All coys are in fields again only buildings being Sigg Office, and exchange, and one room for Comd Offr and Adjt, one room for
		Offrs Mess, one room for Sjts Mess. Rest of accn in stores tents and
		bivouass. Arranged locally for 70 men to attend camp cinema at 30 Corps rest camp, which is very close to this HQ.
	pm	Notified that draft of low med cat men are to be posted to 1 Bucks with effect from 28 and that we are to collect. Draft consists
		apparently of 2 WO IIs 2 S/Sjts 7 Sjts 20 Cpls 155 Ptes. Total 186 All ranks. This will raise once agein question of WE. as at present we are working on Inf
		Bn WE.
34	0900	C.O. goes to 21 Aemy Gp to try and discover something about this incoming draft.
	1000	Informed by 101 B.S.A. that they are moving to CAEN by 1800 hrs 4 Sep 44 and that 1 Bucks is to take over their accn and adm of units at PORT EN BESSIN.
	1300	Comd Offr returns to say that the posting of 2 WO IIs 2 S/Sjts has now been cancelled but that 182 ORS will be arriving this evening.
	1400	QM sent to 101 Beach Sub-Area to allot accn for move.
	1500	C.O. and Adjt visit 36 RHU and fix up direct for 182 ORs to march hore (6 miles) tonight to arrive about 1930 hrs. 20 - 160 lb tents erected to house
		draft for the night. Capt G.L.E. Eyles 'B' Coy put in charge of draft until dispersed to coys later.
	1830	BM 101 Beach Sub-Area visits CO to fix up final handing over details and def of PORT EN BESSIN etc. Mutually arranged that we take over control at 1 1600 hrs 1 Sep 44.
	1900	Entertaimment programme issued such as it is:	Appx 'J'
	1930	New draft arrive - a depressing sight!
	2000	Infmd that move of 101 B.S.A. has been postponed 24 hrs.

Page 15 of 15

Place	Date	Hour	Summary of Events and Information	References to Appendices
			Attached to War Diary..
			AF. B3008 and 3009	Appk "k"
			The 'Beachcomber'	Appx "L"
			Nominal roll of offrs and ORs drafted during August	Appx "M"
			Operational Casualties up to 31 Aug 44	Appx "I"

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War Diary: 1st Battalion Buckinghamshire Regiment

Month and year: August 1944

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