1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
1st KOSB WOUNDED IN NORMANDY
L/Sjt J.H. Bell
WOUNDED - NORMANDY 1944
3191260
COMPANY -
Unknown
Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No).
The King's Own Scottish Borderers
Date Wounded:
Friday, 09 June 1944
Location (from War Diary)
CAMBES
Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.)
Possibly wounded in attack on Cambes
HIS STORY
Joseph Holgate Bell was born in September 1918 in Penicuik, Midlothian Scotland.
Prior to the War he was a Mill Worker.
He is described in his Service Record as 5 foot 7 and 127lbs with hazel eyes and black hair.
He joined up in September 1939 and was part of the BEF (British Expeditionary Force) from 14th March 1940 to 31st May 1940. He arrived home (most likely via Dunkirk evacuations) on the 1st June 1940.
In 1941 and 1942 he attended various courses at the Battle Drill School.
He married Norah Doyle from Lancaster in October 1942.
After being wounded in Normandy, he was embarked back to the UK. He rejoined his unit in August 1944. In Feb 1945 he sustained a battle accident wound, "Infected abrasion".
He is also named in a newspaper report on the Escaut Canal crossing – see our post '400 Yard Dash at the Escaut Canal'.
Mentioned as a Sergeant with D Company in the Borderers' Chronicle (1945, p.58), which joked that he spent V.E. Day 'with his tongue hanging out'.
He married Gwendoline Marg Hay from Accrington, Lancaster, in 1947 in his home town.
He was discharged from the Army in January 1949
He died in 2002 at the age of 83.
WAR DIARY
Friday, 09 June 1944
1st KOSB WAR DIARY - DATE OF WOUNDS
In the morning the advance party from the S. Lancs arrive to prepare to take over the position, this being commenced at 1530 hrs.
Bn moved to the assembly area near LE MESNIL whilst 2/RUR put in the attack on CAMBES. The Bde Comdr was forward with 2/RUR with whom communication became difficult and the Div. Comdr. placed the Commanding Officer in command of the Bde.
On getting news that that RUR had got so far but were pinned down, the Bn put in an attack with two Coys forward. This met with a certain amount of M.G. fire and in the later stages enemy mortar fire which caused some casualties.
Following the success of the attack, contact was made with 2/RUR and mopping up & consolidation was carried out immediately
