[dbf]

Owen, seems a sniper shot him in the head.

Going by JOE V's description think that IWM photo of the IG men in transport with their faces covered up may well fit in before this. [Edit, photo taken near Cagny 18th July.]

Will paste up accounts in a minute, here's diary entry for that day

3Bn WD

Again this morning the forward coys were attacked by an enemy force - thought to be on recce - but were easily repulsed by S.A. fire.

The Bn, supported by a sqn of tks of 1 (Armd) COLDM GDS and one Fd Bty carried out an attack to gain the line of the main VIRE-VASSY road SOUTH of SOURDEVALLE, being phased in with the remainder of the 32 Gds Bde directed on the village of CHENODELLE, and in concert with 1 MOT. GREN GDS and 2 (Armd) GREN GDS directed on the village of VIESSOIX. We were in the centre of a Div effort directed Southwards.

The leading Coys, right - 2 Coy and left - 4 Coy, were supported by two troops of tanks, medium mortars and a Field Bty RA, came under intense fire on a convex slope running Southwards, as soon as they crossed the Start Line. The leading tks immediately suffered casualties from enemy A.Tk guns or dung in tanks SOUTH of their objective. The forward coys pushed on through root and cornfields, suffering very heavy casualties before they reached their objective at approximately 400 yds NORTH of their objectives.

The enemy then crumpled heavily with arty and mortar fire on the forward slope of the hill down which the attack had been directed and at 1600 hours a contact patrol was sent forward to (a) locate the centres of enemy resistance, and (b) inform all possible survivors that they were to withdraw to the line of the F.D.Ls as soon as a smoke screen was laid to cover them. This contact patrol was led by Lt. A.N. DREWE of X Coy, who was himself wounded, one man of the patrol killed and another man wounded.

The smoke screen was laid, duration 30 mins, and Lt. DREWE with stretcher bearers, again went forward into the smoke and did all he could in supervising evacuation of all possible wounded.

Very heavy casualties were suffered by 2 and 4 Coys. Officers killed were Major A. EARLEY-WILMOT (2 Coy Comd), Lt. LORD FITZMAURICE (4 Coy) and Lt. P. BOURKE (2 Coy) and Major D.A. REID (4 Coy Comd), Lt. KINGAN (4 Coy) and Lt. RYDER (2 Coy) were all wounded. ORs suffered to the extent of 33 killed and 72 wounded.

The men were splendid, advancing in spite of the severe opposition, and nothing further could be done to support them owing to the proximity of the opposing posts, and the fact that the bulk of the fire power had to be retained for the 32 GDS BDE attack on CHENODELLE.

In the evening, the remnants of 2 and 4 Coys were successfully withdrawn to the reserve Coy area and their original positions were taken over by Nos 1 and X Coys.

Nos 2 and 4 Coys were amalgamated into one coy, now known as No 2, under the command of Capt. HENDRY.


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Major ANTHONY REVELL EARDLEY-WILMOT M C 104182, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 34 on 11 August 1944
Son of Maj. T. Eardley-Wilmot, D.S.O., and Mildred Clare Eardley-Wilmot, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire. M.A. (Cantab.): Exhibitioner of Trinity College.
Remembered with honour TILLY-SUR-SEULLES WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Ref: IX. H. 9.

Lieutenant Lord EDWARD NORMAN FITZMAURICE 253926, 3rd Bn., Irish Guards who died age 22 on 11 August 1944
Younger son of Lt.-Col. Henry William Edmund Petty-Fitzmaurice, D.S.O., M.V.O., 6th Marquess of Lansdowne, and the Marchioness of Lansdowne, of Bowood, Wiltshire.
Remembered with honour TILLY-SUR-SEULLES WAR CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Ref: IX. E. 9.