62942 Captain Sir John Hargreaves PIGGOTT-BROWN, 2 Coldstream Guards:. 25/12/1942

62942 Captain Sir John Hargreaves PIGGOTT-BROWN 2nd Coldstream Guards
1913 - Killed in Action 25th December 1942 Longstop Hill, Tunisia aged 29
Medjez-el-Bab Memorial

Father :
Captain Gordon Hargreaves BROWN 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards
Killed in action 29th October 1914 aged 34
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial


The Tatler 17th April 1940

Wounded in action, France 18th May 1940


This proved to be a ravine – it rained the whole day. At 20000 hrs Bn ordered to move out in preparation for another attack on LONGSTOP night 24/25 Dec.
Bn moved to basin at foot of Longstop without interruption from enemy. – Day spent resting in basin. At 1645 Arty barrage opened on hill. At 1700 hrs 4 Coy attacked ridge followed by 3 Coy and 1 Coy. 2 Coy formed work parties, - amenities, food, water etc. – Met by intense MG fire. 4 Coy got to their objective but were unable to hold it. 3 & 1 Coys then held the front line with 4 behind. A German counter attack was repulsed and the Coys began digging in. Night comparatively quiet.

At 0700 hrs the enemy counter attacked: very heavy mortar fire and M.G. on our exposed position on the ridge. Large armoured cars were also used on the flanks at the bottom of the ridge. Our position became untenable – withdrawal was ordered on to CHASSARD TEFFAHA -. Meanwhile the 3 Grenadier Guards came up prepared to counter attack -. The enemy however did not do more than consolidate on the ridge.

The attack has been magnificently carried out by the 3 rifle Coys but our losses in officers, COs, NCOs being heavy. During the night the first line reinforcements were brought up to the front line.

No 2 and reinforcements were formed on a lower ridge to cover the withdrawal of the other Coy and the American Bn from the higher ridges. This they did well – 3 inch mortars also assisted admirably with HE and smoke. The Bn were finally withdrawn and reformed in a gulley ¾ to the rear of CHASSARD TEFFAHA. At dusk they were moved by MT to farm some 8-10 miles to the rear and SW of MEDJEZ.
2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards War Diary