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Coverdale Terence Gilbert Major Rank in Normandy Researching Service No. Command Company Second in Command of Regiment during Normandy Campaign Terence Gilbert Coverdale was born in October 1917 in Hartlepool, Durham. His father's name was Gilbert. He joined the KOSB from Sandhurst Military College in 1938 and was a keen cricketer, playing for numerous teams, as well as an accomplished Rugby player. He was a Captain during the BEF's time in France during the early part of the war and was Mentioned in Despatches after the Dunkirk evacuation. In January 1941 he married Nancy Margaret Loudon in Fleet Street, London. His Best Man was Captain T D Sanderson . During the Normandy Campaign he was a Major and Second in Command of the Battalion, and was in charge for a time after G D Renny was wounded. He retired from the Army in 1952 as a Lieutenant-Colonel after 16 years with the Regiment. His last two and a half years were commanding the KOSB depot at Berwick. He died in August 2002 and is buried in Hambleton, Yorkshire. Photo credits: Portrait from The Berwick Advertiser, September 27, 1951 Wedding photo from The Yorkshire Post, February 6th, 1941 Gravestone photo from FindAGrave - https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/174920987/terence-gilbert-coverdale#add-to-vc KOSB_TGCoverdale.png KOSB_TGCoverdale_FaGrave.jpeg 1/5 Previous Special Mention Share Next Special Mention

Captain Casualty Information Captain CUTHBERT MAURICE ROPNER Service Number Age Date of death 122774 40 Friday, May 11, 1945 Company: Researching Son of Emil Hugo Oscar Robert Ropner and of Jane Venetia Ropner (nee Walker); husband of Dorothea Seymour Ropner, of Alnwick. War Service details: Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). Researching 1st Bttn KOSB location on day of death (According to War Diary) Researching Cuthbert Maurice Ropner was born on the 11th April 1905 in Durham. He married Dorothy Bell on the 26th September, 1929. They had 3 children together. *He died a week after his daughter Caroline was born. He was the younger brother of Sir Emil Hugo Oscar Robert Ropner, 3rd Bt. and Richard Ropner. Cuthbert was educated at Harrow School in London and usually went by his middle name, Maurice. He was made 2nd Lt on 20th June 1940. According to the War Diary, there was no action, on the day of his death so he may well have died of wounds sustained in an earlier battle. *UK War Forces site states, 'died as result of accident' - whilst serving with KOSB - 10th Holding Battalion. The Newcastle Journal 15/05/1945 reports:- Funeral of Captain C. Maurice Ropner The funeral took place at Alnwick yesterday of Captain C. Maurice Ropner (40), an officer of the K.O.S.B., and Master of the West Percy foxhounds, who lost his life on Friday in a practice charge explosion when was exercising his men. His home was at Alnbank, Alnwick. A service at Alnwick Parish Church was conducted the Rev. W. E. Lloyd. His medals were sold online in September 2023. " Pair: Captain C. M. Ropner, King’s Own Scottish Borderers, who died on 11 May 1945 Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Army Council enclosure, in OHMS card transmission box, addressed to ‘Mrs. D. S. Ropner, Heckley House, Alnwick, Northumberland’, extremely fine " https://www.noonans.co.uk/archive/past-catalogues/676/catalogue/466060/ ? Share In Memorium Memorial ALNWICK CEMETERY Sec. 31B. Cons. Grave 61. View Cemetery Photo Credits: Headstone - Find a Grave - DIMITRIOS CORCODILOS https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/192869515/cuthbert_maurice-ropner

1st KOSB 50 Franc Note signature Signature details: Initial JB Surname Cunningham Nickname/Rank N/A Match Status = Confirmed by signature Name & Rank Pte. Joseph Baxter Cunningham Service No. 3196413 Evidence Living in Glasgow at time of medals awarded. Discharged from the Army in December 1945 Record in database? Next Previous

1st KOSB 50 Franc Note signature Signature details: Initial L E Surname Bucksey Nickname/Rank Sgt MM Match Status = Confirmed by signature Name & Rank Sjt. Leonard Edward Bucksey Service No. 338173 Evidence Medal card signature matches Born in 1919 in Camberwell, London. Mother's maiden name was Bellenger. Orig Serial No. 6348183 - Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment) Looks like he received his Military Medal for action in North Africa in 1943. Married Joyce Gladys Challoner in April 1946. Was discharged from the Army at rank of Captain in May 1946 Leonard died in 2000 at the age of 79 in Bromley, Kent. Record in database? Next Previous

Private Casualty Information Private ERNEST FREDERICK HAYDEN Service Number Age Date of death 1793427 24 Monday, June 11, 1945 Company: Researching Son of Alfred and Ellen Hayden (nee Reed), of Cottered, Hertfordshire; husband of Brenda Hayden. War Service details: Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). Royal Artillery 1st Bttn KOSB location on day of death (According to War Diary) IBBENBUREN, Germany Ernest Frederick Hayden was born on the 29th November, 1920 in Hertfordshire, England. Before the War he was a 'Cow Man' on a farm. He originally joined the Royal Artillery and is listed as serving with them in 1941. He married Brenda Simpson in November 1943 in Chesterton, Cambridgeshire. (Still listed as Royal Artillery on marriage certificate). Ernest Hayden & Brenda Simpson marriage certificate We do not have a War Diary entry for the date of Ernest's death as it runs to the 31st of May, 1945. He is buried in Kiel War Cemetery on the Baltic Coast - which is approx 330KM from where 1st KOSB were stationed at that time. Researching Share In Memorium Memorial KIEL WAR CEMETERY 6. E. 12. View Cemetery Photo Credits: Find a Grave - Mina Schmidt https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18430949/ernest-frederick-hayden

Kerr Highest Rank Lance Corporal Researching Service No. Andrew Researching Company Mention in Borderer's Chronicle Researching Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image Add a Title Describe your image

GRUBBENVORST Tuesday 2 January 1945 Next Next Start Location: GRUBBENVORST End Location: GRUBBENVORST D-Day+ 210 2 January 1945 A clear cold day with fair visibility. A fair amount of movement was seen in areas 9016, 9116, 919117. Movement around LOMM was especially noticeable. One or two heavy shells fall in the Bn area shortly after 1900 hrs but otherwise there was nothing of particular interest during daylight. Patrols reported suitable launching site at 90301475 but the banks on both sides were very exposed. At 2230 hrs a horse and cart were heard in area 905147, and at 0230 in the same place the noise of hammering stakes was heard. The obstacle in the river MAAS from 901166 to 903174 was found to be two separate obstacles one on either bank. On the east bank a double apron fence on the beach itself with the Western extremities actually in the water. On the West bank two barbed wire and pole fences with two strands of wire, one being just at the edge of the river and the other 10 - 15 ft from the water just underneath the bank. An Officers' Day was held in the morning. Programme at Appx "A". Alternative Information (from books, personal accounts) Died on this day = 0 Tuesday 2 January 1945 Previous Next 0 Wounded on this day = Aunt Bette's Homemade Pecan Pie Rockin’ Rocky Road Ice Cream Tom’s Heavenly Apple Strudel Joe’s Divine Butter Tarts

Private Casualty Information Private ROBERT BAYLES Service Number Age Date of death 3193977 28 Tuesday, September 19, 1944 Company: Researching Son of Robert and Gertrude Bayles (nee Patterson), of Heaton, Newcastle-on-Tyne. War Service details: Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). King's Own Scottish Borderers 1st Bttn KOSB location on day of death (According to War Diary) Researching Robert Bayles was born on the 17th of June, 1916 in Newcastle, England. *According to his dad’s papers in ww1 and the 1939 census he was born 17 June 1916 but in death it’s noted as 17 July 1916. Before the War he was a Plumber's Labourer. 1st Bttn KOSB War Diary for the date of his death H hour was 2400 hrs and the two assault Bns made a successful crossing of the river. Some mortar and MG fire was directed on the crossing places, and the parties provided by the Bn received casualties. Lieut JW Skelly and approx 7 ORs were wounded. 2 ORs were killed. At approx 0430 hrs the Bn was ordered to start crossing the canal on 2 LINCOLN's (the rt bn) front where enemy opposition was strongest. Infantry carrying assault boats in preparation for crossing the Meuse-Escaut canal at Lille-St Hubert, 19 September 1944 (IWM) Coys crossed in the order A, C, B, D. The first task of the two fwd Coys was to protect the right flank of 2 LINCOLNS who had suffered considerable casualties during the crossing. The Bn was fortunate in completing its crossing under cover of a heavy ground mist and suffered very few casualties. The advance was continued at about 0700 hrs with right C Coy and left A Coy, the first objective being the rly line crossing the main rd running NORTH from the canal at 427960. The Plan was to establish a firm base on the rly line with A and C Coys, and then to adv with D Coy up to the village of ACHEL 4297. Opposition from MGs sited with good fields of fire over open ground was encountered and the two fwd Coys had some casualties. Lieut BL Taylor (?) of A Coy was killed. The advance to the rly line was slow and support from arty and mortars was called for on several occasions. B Coy provided a right flank guard to C Coy in their final attack and D Coy was pushed through between A and C with the HALT 426960 as objective. By 1330 hrs fwd Coys were established on the rly line, and shortly after that time infm was received that an armoured thrust was expected from the NORTH. The Bn therefore remained on the rly line. At 1600 hrs infm was received that the armd thrust would not now materialize and the Bn was ordered to push on to ACHEL. Further opposition from MGs from the right flank was encountered, and the mortar pl put down an effective smoke screen. Under cover of this D Coy entered the SOUTH of ACHEL and by nightfall the Bn was established with two Coys B and D in the SOUTHERN half of ACHEL, and A and C Coys with Bn HQ in the area of the HALT. Patrols during the night found that the enemy had withdrawn. Share In Memorium Memorial LEOPOLDSBURG WAR CEMETERY IV. C. 2. View Cemetery Photo Credits: Headstone - Find a Grave - Des Philippet. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14039416/robert-bayles

Thursday 5 April 1945 Next Next Start Location: End Location: D-Day+ 303 5 April 1945 A plan was made during the morning for 2/Lincs to close up to the line of the railway at 717355 and for us to pass through and hold the Southern approaches to the town. Accordingly by 1230 hrs the Bn was concentrated in the area 712370 and the attack started at 1500 hrs. Few enemy were encountered and there was spasmodic shelling. Ten P.W. were taken and one Officer P.W. wounded on a patrol. Final positions were Bn HQ 714358 and Coys at 714347, 717347, 723347, 717353. During the afternoon a patrol of "B" Coy went out on carriers down main road to 714358 where they were effectively halted by S.A. and Mortar fire. One P.W. was brought in during the night. All P.W. taken knew nothing of what was really happening and a large percentage of them were under 20 years old. Alternative Information (from books, personal accounts) Died on this day = 0 Thursday 5 April 1945 Previous Next 0 Wounded on this day = Aunt Bette's Homemade Pecan Pie Rockin’ Rocky Road Ice Cream Tom’s Heavenly Apple Strudel Joe’s Divine Butter Tarts

Saturday 31 March 1945 Next Next Start Location: End Location: D-Day+ 298 31 March 1945 A quiet day. The Bn task was to protect the L of C of the Guards Armd Div. Casualties were:- Killed Nil and 8 Wounded 4 and 34 (of which 3 and 5 have since rejoined). Alternative Information (from books, personal accounts) Died on this day = 0 Saturday 31 March 1945 Previous Next 0 Wounded on this day = Aunt Bette's Homemade Pecan Pie Rockin’ Rocky Road Ice Cream Tom’s Heavenly Apple Strudel Joe’s Divine Butter Tarts

MITTELSHUCHTING, Germany Friday 20 April 1945 Next Next Start Location: MITTELSHUCHTING, Germany End Location: MITTELSHUCHTING, Germany D-Day+ 318 20 April 1945 At first light "A" Coy moved forward and occupied the rd jct at 654962 with only light opposition. At about 0600 hrs "B" Coy moved up through D" Coy and captured the rd and rail crossing at 660966 after some sharp fighting, taking some 20 p.w.s. Final posns were:- Bn H.Q. 661959, "A" Coy 654962, "B" Coy 660966, "C" Coy 665964, "D" Coy 661963. At 1000 hrs the 2/LINCS launched an attack on KIRCHHUCHTING 6795 from the area 667942. The Bn supporting arms carried out a diversionary fire plan for the attack. The remainder of the day was quiet and uneventful. Alternative Information (from books, personal accounts) Died on this day = 0 Friday 20 April 1945 Lance Corporal ARTHUR BROOKES 5116486 20/04/1945 29 HANOVER WAR CEMETERY Previous Next 0 Wounded on this day = Aunt Bette's Homemade Pecan Pie Rockin’ Rocky Road Ice Cream Tom’s Heavenly Apple Strudel Joe’s Divine Butter Tarts

Pte Daniel Hodson Previous Next Wounded In 1944-45 Share Pte Daniel Hodson Service No. 1644010 Company: D Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). Royal Artillery (Field, Coastal & Anti-Aircraft) Date Wounded: Friday, 02 March 1945 Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.) Researching Location (from War Diary) GOCH, Germany Daniel Hodson was born on the 27th of May, 1909 in Lancashire. His parents were John Hodson and Ellen Samples. Before the War he worked in a Coal Mine. He was discharged from the Army in December 1945 and was serving with 5th Bttn KOSB at that time. Daniel was one of the first KOSB to enter Bremen. The Ormskirk Advertiser, Thursday Afternoon, May 24, 1945 1st KOSB War Diary for 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. Get in touch First name* Last name Email* Casualty Full Name or KOSB ref no. Write a message Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Submit