1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
1st KOSB WOUNDED IN NORMANDY
L/Sjt Robert McGhie
WOUNDED - NORMANDY 1944
3190051
COMPANY -
Unknown
Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No).
The King's Own Scottish Borderers
Date Wounded:
Sunday, 06 August 1944
Location (from War Diary)
LE PISSOT
Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.)
Possibly wounded in attack around Montisanger/Le Pissot area
HIS STORY
Robert McGhie was born in September 1916 in Wigtownshire, Scotland.
Before the War he was a labourer.
He enlisted in Dumfries in April 1939 and was a T.A in 5th KOSB at time of joining. He was 5 foot 7 and weighed 129lbs. His eyes were blue and hair was described as fair.
He served with the BEF between 4th March 1940 and 31st May 1940.
He married Mina Erskine in June 1940 in Hawick. (Can't read the writing)
After being wounded in Normandy he returned to the UK for a while. In December 1944 he was posted to 7th KOSB (Airborne). He went to Norway for 3 months in May 1945
Robert was discharged from the Army in June 1945 and was living in Dumfrieshire at that time. He remained on the reserve list until June 1951.
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WAR DIARY
Sunday, 06 August 1944
1st KOSB WAR DIARY - DATE OF WOUNDS
Bn moved out in TCVs (Troop Carrying Vehicle) at 0500 hrs and arrived at assembly area 672379 at 0700 hrs.
The 'O' Group moved to S.L. at 0815 and the attack with "C" Coy on left and "D" Coy on right commenced at 0845 hrs.
By 0955 hrs MONTISANGER was occupied without opposition. Patrols were sent out to the main road and river S of PISSOT. Two bridges (675340 - 666340) reported blown.
An attack on positions S of the river (sqs 6734, 6735) was ordered at 1700 hrs to start at 1800 hrs. This attack was carried out with "C" Coy on the right and "A" Coy on the left. The two coys reached their first objective and pushed on but were pinned down by enemy MG fire from flanks when approaching the railway (sq 6737). These two coys made this adv against fairly heavy opposition, almost completely unsupported. Owing to the blowing of the br (675340) and the speed with which the attack had to be prepared, it was not possible to get any sp arms to them except one tp of tanks which got over later in the evening, and, by a very gallant attack, saved the situation on "C" Coy front.
One complete pl of "A" Coy is missing from this operation and many offrs and ORs of both coys were killed and wounded.
Late that night orders were received from Bde that the Bn was to consolidate - if necessary withdrawing.
The withdrawal of the two fwd coys was carried out and by first light the Bn was in position astride the bridge at 675340.
