Dear All I have managed to get the War Diaries for two other units through the great kindness of a member of this forum and another through the excellent services of Drew5233. This is all to help me bring to life the events which led to the death in WW2 of ex-pupils from the School in Normandy in 1944 (whose grave we will be visiting at Banneville) and also the Army side of the events at Longues for this year's trip (next weekend). I am also researching the life of another WW2 casualty from the School, Major Robert Frank Gale, who at 25 years old was killed in Normandy (he is also buried at Banneville) having already earned a Military Cross and Bar for earlier service in North Africa and Italy. I have a photograph of him to show the pupils from the National Army Museum plus information from the excellent book by Andrew Graham, Sharpshooters at War, but would also on reflection (the war diaries are so much more immediate and real, I have realised this through looking at the Devonshire's War Diary) really like to see the War Diary for his unit in Normandy from their arrival in June 1944 and particularly for the events leading to his death on 10th July 1944. This is what Andrew Graham's book says: 'On the 10th, 3rd CLY moved back to the area northeast of Mouen in support of a thrust which was being made south of the River Odon by 43rd Division, and at noon the Regiment moved hurriedly across the river, to the north of Eterville, with A Squadron in the lead. In the course of this move there was unsually heavy shelling and Major R.F. Gale, commanding C Squadron, was hit and fatally wounded'. Drew 5233 doesnt have the relevant war diary (the reference is given below) and I would be very grateful if anyone has the relevant pages (particularly for the 10th July) and would be willing to share the relevant page or pages : 3 County of London Yeomanry Date: 1944 Feb.- Dec (interested in June to 10th July 1944, but particularly the 10th July and the events which led to Bobby Gale's death (also the events of the days before for him and C Squadron which he led). If not thanks for looking (the generosity of the members of this forum has been demonstrated many times) and I will get this done for next year's trip. Best wishes and thanks Justin
Thanks Steve, this is just what I wanted and helps provide a bit more info about Gale and C squadron which will feed into the trip. Best wishes and thanks again Justin
Has anyone looked at the war diary in Kew to see if there are any appendices, especially one that will tell us what sort of 3-ton GS they were issued with prior to D-day? Cheers Tom
