What battle would my relative have been in? Ronald C H Baxter, Nottinghamshire Yeomanry RAC, 14/8/44

My relative Trooper Ronald C H Baxter was in the The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry Royal Armoured Corps Brigade and died on 14th August 1944 and is buried at Banneville la Campagne cemetery.I know he died inside his tank but can anyone tell me which battle would this have been?

Many thanks

 

TrooperBAXTER, RONALD CECIL HENRY
Service Number 14231846

Died 14/08/1944

Aged 21

Nottinghamshire Yeomanry
Royal Armoured Corps

Son of Charles Henry and Hilda Baxter, of Hounslow, Middlesex.


INSCRIPTION
FROM THIS PLANE TO THE NEXT PLANE IT IS JUST A TRANSITION; THERE IS NO DEATH

 

14: Proussy, Les Haies to Point 201. "B" squadron SRY with 4 Hants advanced to Les Haies where they were opposed by what was referred to as a "small" enemy regiment with SP and anti-tank guns but managed to reach their objectives albeit with the loss of 2 tanks destroyed and 2 damaged. A number of enemy POW's were taken. (Lt. Cameron SRY (formerly 24th L) WIA, Trooper Baxter (formerly 24th L) KIA), Trooper Eley (formerly 24th L) KIA). "C" squadron SRY with 4 Dorsets took Pt. 201.

From - The SRY in NWE in August 1944

If you need more (if there is any) suggest you contact member Ramiles

TD

 

Hello,

The Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (also known as the Sherwood Rangers) took part in Operation Blackwater beginning on the 12th August which was an operation to push the Germans back to Conde and across the River Noireau with 130th Brigade of the 43rd Wessex Division. C Squadron was in reserve and the other two squadrons helped the infantry take St Denis de Mere and Proussy around the 13th and 14th August. By the evening of the 15th the Regiment had reached the River Noireau.
This information comes from Stuart Hills' Book "By Tank into Normandy" Pages 131 and 132 an excellent read.
There are other forum members who specialize in the Sherwood Rangers and maybe able to identify which squadron your relative was in, which will narrow down which specific action he was involved with.

Kind regards,

Will.

 

The Nottinghamshire (Sherwood Rangers) Yeomanry, normally abbreviated to SRY, were part of 8th Armoured Brigade at that time. While I don't know the precise battle etc - you would need to look in their War Diary for that information - that was about the time of the so-called Breakout from the initial Bridgehead and the Falaise Pocket. Apologies I can't be more specific but I hope that nevertheless helps.

Edit: gosh! Others beat me to it!

 

This Forum is just COOKIN' Bring it on !

 

Oops! I didn't realise the 24th Lancers connection - slow on the uptake tonight but see my avatar!

For information, Lt Cameron died some years ago but I am in indirect contact (via Forum member Ramiles) with his son. He may have more information as they appear to have been in the same crew.

 

Hi everyone, thanks that is great!

Operation Blackwater is the answer I was seeking. Too much battle information is not good for a woman of my age!

Can't believe my relative is buried in same cemetery as Rex Whistler! Going soon to lay tributes on their graves.

 

To clarify - re. the squadron it was "B" squadron of the SRY. So would have been the village of Les Haies. (in Normandy, near and just to the east of Prossy, and a little to the north east of Conde-sur-Noireau).

I've not been there but looked a while ago at the area closely on google maps. It's probably changed a bit since 1944 ;-) But as with much of the area it was not good tank country, I should suppose. It basically translates as "the hedges"...

Translate French to English Les Haies - Google Search

There were two troops of 24th Lancers (a couple of Officers, Lts Cameron and Cowan and I think something like 28 men in total) that had just joined the SRY at the start of August so they had been with them (the SRY) for a couple of weeks. The 24th Lancers and the SRY were both in the 8th Armoured Brigade but the 24th L were disbanded at the start of August 1944 to provide reinforcements for other units.

Most of Baxter's time I think would have been with the 24th Lancers - but you might have to get his tracer card (from Bovington) or his full records from Glasgow etc.

There are a few refs. in various books (I've mentioned elsewhere) as well as the entry of a few lines in the SRY war diary, and a page or so of Padre Skinner's book.

My grandfather, a sergeant in the 24th L and later the SRY mentions in his correspondence that Trooper Baxter was one of those KIA in his "troop".

Ian Cameron (Lt.Cameron's son) has a few other details, and a handful of pictures.

Pm. me if you have further questions or post them here, however I don't have much further. Ian Cameron may be able also perhaps to help. (Again, pm me if you want to get in contact with him etc.)

All the best,

Rm.

 

Not the easiest to read but here's the regiments war diary:

 

Thanks that's great!

 

Have sent you a PM regarding Tpr.Baxter

 

Bonjour désolé pour ce massage un peu tardif mais je travaille au musée de la Libération de Berjou 39/45 et j'ai bien vue le nom de ce soldat avec mes recherche il aurait été tué juste avant la rivière du Noireau, dans notre musée à Berjou nous avons regroupé tous les objets dédié à entretenir leur mémoire ...

 

Libération de Berjou 39/45

 

Thank you that is great, we will be visiting next year

 

I was in contact with Len Beddow ( same regiment as Ronald Baxter) until he died last year. He wrote many poems about the war. One of his poems was read out on the 75th Anniversary Ceremony of Operation Goodwood at Banneville Le Campagne last year in english and french, would you like a copy of it for your museum?

 

yes if you want it interests me

 

This was the poem and it was called Teenage Soldiers.

 

7th Hampshire in North West Europe - The Royal Hampshire Regiment Museum

Has...

"On 30th July (1944) their attack began on the village of Cahagnes, in the difficult close wooded country of the bocage. A night advance to capture the enemy position was unsuccessful but constant pressure was maintained and the enemy withdrew.
Their next task was a deceptive frontal attack on Mont Pincon. This dominated a large area and it was essential that this feature was taken. The attack stared (started) and the first objectives were taken without much difficulty. When phase two started, the enemy, now fully alert, inflicted many casualties and an effort had to be made to by-pass this opposition by crossing a stream in order to reach the final objective.
Despite this, 7th Hampshire’s operation was successful and fulfilled its task of engaging the enemy’s attention. They had advanced to the foot of Mont Pincon and in the next few days took up the defence of the reverse slopes. On 14th August they moved forward for a successful assault on St-Denis-de-Mere."