James Joseph McCarthy was born on the 5th of March, 1920 in Glasgow, Scotland.

He has a full biography on the Overloon War Chronicles site here

1st KOSB War Diary for the date of his death At 0800 hrs in the morning B and C Coys started to move through the LAAG HEIDE.

• C Coy forward objectives being the X tracks at 739283.

• B Coy first objective being track junction at 731285.

Two routes were cleared by Sappers and pioneers. C Coy route being the track running South from 739298 to their first objective.

Following C Coy were A Coy and main Bn HQ. B Coy route, the right hand one, was track from 736298 South to 737291 from there West to 732289 and then due South to B Coy first objective. The Bn HQ and D Coy also followed this route.

There was no sign of the enemy in the wood but there was spasmodic and unaimed Mortar and Nebelwerfer fire some of which fell fairly near C Coy. Sappers and the Bn Pioneers preceded the two forward Coys and cleared a large number of mines from the tracks.

When the first objective had been taken at 0930 hrs. A and D Coys pushed forward and took up position in the area of DALLAND WOOD 733280.

At 1000 hrs a message came through stating that the 11th Armd Division on our right were doing well and that we should soon be able to link up with them.

Soon after this B, C and D Coys pushed forward leaving C Coy to protect the left flank. At this juncture at 1135 hrs the Bn was ordered to form up where it was.

At 1245 hrs positions were HQ 734279, A Coy 733278, B Coy 733274, C Coy 738282, D Coy 737277. The 'F' Echelon was moving up and we were prepared to remain static for the night, when the Bn was ordered to take over the positions of the 4th KSLI EAST of OVERLOON in the SMAKT area.

The marching troops left with the transport soon after 1615 hrs and arrived in area 783323 at about 1830 hrs.

The Recce party had hardly had time to see their positions before dark, and it was raining hard.

The Bn finally took over at about 1930 hrs in the following positions:- Bn HQ 785321, A Coy 795348, B Coy 794316, C Coy 794324, D Coy 787318.

During the take over the Nebelwerfers were busy and S Coy suffered 4 casualties (1 killed 3 wounded).

Contact was attempted with the NORFOLKS on the right and with B Sqn 3 Recce Regt on the left by patrol at 0200 hrs, but owing to the darkness both parties went slightly astray and contact was not finally established until day light.