1st KOSB WAR DIARIES

1st KOSB WAR DIARIES - NORTH WEST EUROPE

Saturday, November 18, 1944

D +

165

NWE

WD CHECKED ✓

START LOCATION

SMAKT, Holland

FINISH LOCATION

SMAKT, Holland

WAR DIARY

SUMMARY OF EVENTS AND INFORMATION

A fairly quiet morning.

During the afternoon the forward Coys were heavily mortared, Cpl Tannock of A Coy being killed.

Shortly after 1600 hrs a patrol of 4 enemy came across the rly crossing and into orchard to the SW of it, whereupon A Coy shot at them with 2" Mortar. This effectively scattered the patrol and one man was captured by C Coy. He had belonged to the G.A.F. but was in 7 Coy II Bn BODENRAEDER. His Coy location and Bn and Coy were all extracted from him. He talked freely.

We eventually discovered that they were taking photos.

During the evening flares were dropped by our aircraft. (Hand written on orig War Diary) "*Publication of Letter of Reorganisation of the 1st KOSB - Appx A1" *This is a multi-page document detailing the temporary reorganisation of the Companies by suspending C Coy and moving personnel to the remaining Coys. We have reproduced the letter and list of personnel in total here

ALTERNATIVE SOURCES

Personal accounts, other War Diaries and excerpts from books

"When the QMS (Quartermasters) brought the rations up at night the truck was distinctly audible: 'several of our platoon were killed or wounded making a run for the hot meal'. My friend Cpl Bill Tannock was hit by a mortar bomb. 'I tried to lift Bill clear of the mud but he died in my arms..."

Sgt Fred Hartle, P120, Monty's Ironsides by Patrick Delaforce

List of some of the men moved from C Coy to others - more details in the full article > C Company Stands Down: How the 1st KOSB Reorganised After Five Months of War

To "A" Coy
3194078	Cpl	Wastle	J.	14430427	L/Cpl	Pickering	S.
6015322	Pte	Andrews	C.	14002993	Pte	Ogle	J.
14633267	Pte	Ryley	G.	6014324	Pte	Warren	L.
14633266	Pte	Nuhe	J.	3066413	Pte	Home	W.
1690003	Pte	Baker	M.	3659611	Pte	Johnson	A.
3065718	Pte	Gaitens	D.	3606633	Pte	McLoughlin	R.
					Pte	Lloyd
To 10 Pl "B" Coy
3066006	L/Sgt	Hutcheson	E.	4616892	L/Cpl	Hoyle	W.
3197093	L/C	Heppinstall	L.	1536815	Pte	Adams	S.
3890023	Pte	Small	T.	3597500	Pte	Andrews	E.
14682596	Pte	Carrington	S.	7619332	Pte	Neeves	J.
14550633	Pte	Armstrong	H.	14714113	Pte	Briggs	W.
14716219	Pte	Jackson	I.
To 11 Pl "B" Coy
3189645	L/C	Mitchell	W.	3191873	Pte	Fiske	M.
2751070	Pte	Russell	T.	14421916	Pte	Hicks	L.
1658334	Pte	Boyle	J.
To 12 Pl "B" Coy
2872829	Sgt	Robertson	W.	3967032	Cpl	Jenkins	W.
3193968	L/S	Scott	J.	3065611	L/C	Imrie	D.
3596978	L/C	Holme	T.	6193735	Pte	Mitchell	C.
3197093	Pte	Higginbottom	E.	14210534	Pte	Cramb	D.
14587245	Pte	Ruzman	R.	1705010	Pte	Brine	J.
14422115	Pte	Brough	D.	14438911	Pte	Luff	S.
3967826	L/S	Morgan	G.	14225813	Pte	Smith	J.
3116672	L/C	Harris	J.	3067016	Pte	Morrison	G.
14429040	Pte	Thomas	R.	14658511	Pte	Hawkins	E.
3604726	Pte	Lobley	G.	11000020	Pte	Salter	T.
3597005	Cpl	Armstrong	W.	14718475	Pte	Brownson	R.
3191570	L/C	Bell	R.	3597087	Pte	Ennis	J.
3193943	Pte	Stark	R.	11267266	Pte	Franklyn	C.
3602476	Pte	Walker	G.	5114486	Pte	Brooks	A.
14550802	Pte	Kelly	R.	14550710	Pte	Cruddace	A.
				14718477	Pte	Brownson	D.
To "D" Coy
3066873	Cpl	Taylor	D.	3967851	Cpl	Pritchard	O.
5111725	L/C	Griffiths	D.	14657689	Pte	Hone	R.
3056507	Pte	Wilson	J.	14002897	Pte	Burrows	G.
14420177	Pte	Curtis	E.	5500856	Pte	Waterman	E.
2872829	Pte	Rutherford	W.	3194066	Pte	Mather	T.
5188959	Pte	Munday	E.
To "HQ" Coy
14658595	Cpl	Youll	J.

WAR DIARIES

Preparing for D-Day

Normandy Jun - Sept 44

North-West Europe

Post War

CASUALTIES ON THIS DAY

Click a name to open their page

DIED ON THIS DAY

KIA

Photo	RANK	First Name	Surname	Service Number	AGE	Memorial	Grave Marker
	Corporal	WILLIAM	TANNOCK	2765552	21	OVERLOON WAR CEMETERY

WOUNDED ON THIS DAY

WIA

Image	Name and Rank	Service No	Notes

PHOTO AND MAP CREDITS

Map:

Google maps 2026

Photo:

Grave Concentration Form showing Corporal Tannock's entry.