942544 Bdr Victor ANDERSON, 65th (Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti Tank Regt RA: 12/06/1944

Hi,
I am researching the circumstances which led to the deasth of 942544 Bdr V Anderson on the 12th June 1944. He was serving with the 65th AT Regt RA, and had seen service in North Africa & Italy prior to landing in Normandy. He was initially buried in Verrieres ( with a lot of 6 DLI who were KIA on the same day) before being finally laid to rest in Bayeux Cemetery.
I am trying to establish,
which battery he was serving in?
What type of vehicle he was using?

Any other info would be greatly appreciated,
Cheers,
Rick

Casualty Details | CWGC

 

Two of the batteries were towed 17-prs, the other two had 17-pr SP M10C, so most likely one of those.

 

The 65th (The Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regiment, RA, had only moved up to the line on 10 June 1944 and was only first at full strength on 12 June 1944. On the latter date they moved through the forward positions of the 50th (Northumbrian) Division lines to join the fray and this is likely why Bdr. V Anderson was initially buried alongside 6th Bn Durham Light Infantry soldiers. The 260th Bty was attached to the 22nd Armoured Brigade and 257, 258 and 259 Btys were attached to the 131st Infantry Brigade, all units of the 7th Armoured Division.

At pages 229/230 of the regimental history: 'The Norfolk Yeomanry in Peace and War' (Bastin), it states:

No names are mentioned, but per the CWGC there are two men of this unit KIA on that day.

BOMBARDIER, VICTOR ANDERSON
Service Number: 942544
Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Artillery, 65 (The Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of Death: 12 June 1944
Age: 25 years old
Buried or commemorated at: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY, XI. L. 19.
Additional Info: Son of Thomas and Ann Anderson, of Gorton, Manchester; husband of Ann Anderson, of Manchester.

GUNNER, ARTHUR JOHNSON
Service Number: 958456
Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Artillery, 65 (The Norfolk Yeomanry) Anti-Tank Regt.
Date of Death: 12 June 1944
Age: 25 years old
Buried or commemorated at: BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY, XI. L. 20.
Additional Info: Son of Frederick and Alice Johnson, of Rossett, Denbighshire.

It appears to me that Bdr V Anderson served with one of the two M10 Btys, so either the 258 or 260 Bty. Either the Regiment’s War Diary or those of the other 7th Armoured Division units involved will reveal where the Btys/units were situated.

Edit: Gnr A Johnson’s Graves Concentration Report reveals him as with 258 Bty and so, Bdr V Anderson is likley also 258 Bty.

https://archive.cloud.cwgc.org/archive/doc/doc2233748.JPG

Best,

Steve.

 

War Diary covering this time. No Casualty details.

 

My Headstone pics from 2010.

 

Hi Guys,
very many thanks for all this info, very much appreciated,
cheers,
Rick

 

Thank you for your post concerning Victor Anderson who I did not know but was my Cousin once removed. I came across him while researching our family tree.
I would be most interested in reading any more information you have come across in your research.