I'm Ann and have just discovered my cousin is one of four soldiers buried in Lieurey Cemetery in France. I have a photo of his gravestone, but that's all.I'm trying to find out what happened to him and what was happening in that area at the time. The details I have are: They were all from 49th Recce Regiment and died in August 1944 Mayor John Dain. Leicestershire regt Trp Donald Christmas--my cousin Trp George Ambrose Trp Frederick Johnson Can anyone help me please?
I've renamed the thread & moved post to the Recce subforum . That will attract the attention of the Recce types who will be able to help. Cheers by the way , the date in question is 25/8/1944 for anyone who can help. CWGC :: Casualty Details found this pic of the 4 of them. http://v3.cache3.c.bigcache.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1223135.jpg?redirect_counter=1 also having a look in Delaforce's The Polar Bears & can't find anything of help.
Welcome to the forum, Checked Only Enemy in Front unfortunately no details. One Question why do you say Major Dain was 49 Recce? Cheers Paul
Hello and welcome. The units war diary may give you a insight into what they were doing on the day they died. WO 171/506 49 Recce.Regt. 1944 Jan.- Dec.
Lieurey must have only just been liberated, as a Battery of my Dad's Regiment (Royal Artillery) moved into Lieurey along with Regimental Headquarters on the day after the 4 men were killed. There were still German's in the vicinity, as even they took 7 german prisoners at 11-0am on the 26th. Without checking the war diaries of the Leicester Regt and 49 Recce, both of the 49th Division, you won't know for sure. Cheers - Rob
Major Dain was definitely in the 1st Battalion Leicesters. Killed on the 26th August 1944 when a bren carrier he was in recived a direct hit from German artillery during a night move. They were in the Lieurey area.
49 Recce were definitely in the Lieurey area and on the offensive as the war diary entries state. No details on 49 Recce casualties sustained, only the enemy. 63 POW's and at least 30 killed.
Rob thanks for posting the confirmation that Major Dain was definitely in the 1st Battalion Leicesters. Cheers Paul
Hello I'm trying to find more information on the war diaries of the 49th Reconnaissance Regiment in France (around LE HAVRE) in September 1944. I found this reference but impossible to find the file on the web. WO 171/506 49 Recce Regiment Jan-Dec 1944 In particular, on the died of the Lt Peter Ernest GILLHAM, On september 4th, 1944 at MANNEVILLETTE (small village around LE HAVRE). Thanks for your help REgards David Astonia Association 'Astonia Souvenez-vous' on Facebook.
Hi David, I have sent you a private message about Operation Astonia. Otherwise, the war diary does not specifically mention how Lt GILLHAM died. He is recorded as having been killed in action in the Officer Return for the week. See both below. Apologies for only a part of the page recording Lt GILLHAM's death. Regards Rob
