1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment)
1st KOSB WOUNDED
L/Cpl E Draper
WOUNDED - POST NORMANDY 1944-1945
2764313
COMPANY -
Researching
Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No).
Black Watch (The Royal Highland Regiment)
Date Wounded:
Friday, March 02, 1945
Location (from War Diary)
GOCH, Germany
Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.)
Researching
HIS STORY
Edward Earl Draper was born on the 7th of May, 1923 in Leeds, West Yorkshire. His Mother's maiden name was Bogg.
Before the War he was a Moulder in a Steel Foundry
He married Edna Atkinson in October 1943 in Leeds.
After his wounds on 2 March 1945 he was welcomed back to D Company, and later moved to S Company. (Borderers' Chronicle, June 1945, p.58; September 1945, p.112)
He was discharged from the Army in December 1945 and was serving with 5th Bttn KOSB at that time.
When his medal card was issued in March 1950 he was living in Hunslet, Leeds.
He died in October 2002 at the age of 79.
WAR DIARY
Friday, March 02, 1945
1st KOSB WAR DIARY - DATE OF WOUNDS
In the morning 9 Bde started an attack from the area 975386 with WINNEKENDONK as the final objective.
The Bn crossed the start line - the road SOUTH WEST from RENNINGSHOF 978387 - at 0715 and by 1000 hrs the leading coys were on the final objective - on the Right A Coy in area of REYSHOF 979371, and on the Left B Coy at 984379.
Shortly afterwards 2 RUR passed through and by 1400 hrs had secured their objective of the main road running NORTH-SOUTH in the area 993364.
At about 1600 hrs the Bn passed through 2 RUR in Kangaroos and had cleared the wood up to the Southernmost edge at 002354 by 1700 hrs with no opposition except for a certain amount of mortar and shell fire.
The Comd Offr went forward to plan for the attack on BRUCH and RAHMEHOF in area 3360.
The attack was laid on for 1830 hrs with one Sqn of Churchill tanks, but had to be postponed as 2 LINCOLNS had arranged all the arty support for their attack on WINNEKENDONK.
The enemy must have seen some of the forward troops on the edge of the wood and heard the tanks as he shelled and mortared the SOUTHERN half of the wood fairly heavily till dusk. The tanks and Kangaroos withdrew to the NORTH of the wood.
At 2115 a concentration was laid on BRUCH and RAHMEHOF, and A and B Coys moved up to the forward edge of the wood taking over C and D Coys positions.
At 2130 C and D Coys attacked RAHMEHOF and BRUCH respectively and in silence. Both coys achieved total surprise and captured several prisoners.
*In the morning the positions were visited by several enemy who were unaware of the situation.
