1944 - 1949
The definitive research resource for the 1st KOSB from 1944-1949
Blessé au combat
Pte John Hardie Brown
WOUNDED - NORMANDY 1944
3064843
COMPANY -
Unknown
Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No).
The Royal Scots
Date Wounded:
Wednesday, 19 July 1944
Location (from War Diary)
TROARN
Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.)
Possibly wounded in attack on Troarn.
HIS STORY
"My brother, John Hardie Brown, was at Caen with the KOSB's. He was in a trench when a shell burst in front of the trench and buried him and his mates. John's rifle was poking up through the earth, he moved it around and it was spotted and he was rescued, his ear drums were blown out. His mates did not make it." "Further to the story, my brother was in the 1st Battalion of the KOSB's and the bloke in the middle of the photo with hands in pockets looks like him (The photo in Caen near the Poissonerrie - below). Will never know for sure. John went on to fight across the Rhine. At the end of European war he was sent to Egypt with the Battalion for embarkation to the far east to fight the Japs, lucky enough the war ended before they were embarked." George Brown (From Facebook).
John was discharged from the Army in October 1946 and was living in Edinburgh at that time.
*Private Brown was also wounded on the 24th March 1945.
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WAR DIARY
Wednesday, 19 July 1944
1st KOSB WAR DIARY - DATE OF WOUNDS
The attack on enemy positions forward of TROARN was continued.
"C" Coy were to take Station at 158677 and "A" Coy the X roads 161676. Both attacks were met with heavy cross fire from MG's and though supported by tanks had to withdraw with heavy casualties.
Bn resumed former positions and later in day heavy shelling and mortaring caused casualties.
The Commanding Officer (Lt. Col G. D. Renny) having been previously wounded, left under orders from Brigadier and Major TG Coverdale took over command of the Bn.
Casualties in the Bn during these two days fighting were 12 Officers and 140 Other Ranks.
