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Operation Name: UNDER CONSTRUCTION 6 June 1944 To 6 June 1944 KOSB_Bieville_NWG.png Sword Beach Assault Plan Courtesy of Paul Scanlon - 2nd RUR in WW2. https://royal-ulster-rifles-ww2.blogspot.com/ 1/3 TEST TEST 1st KOSB Casualty figures Date D-Day+ Start location Finish Location Killed Wounded 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 SWORD

Pte D. Gallacher Previous Next Wounded In Normandy Pte D. Gallacher Service No. 14002559 Company: Unknown Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). General Service Corps Date Wounded: Sunday, 11 June 1944 Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.) Possibly wounded in Cambes area View This Day At the time of claiming his medals in April 1950, Private Gallacher's address was listed as No 9 Camp, Butlers Gorge in Tasmania, Australia. (Apparently ex-Servicemen from Britain went over there to work after the war). If you have any information on this soldier, please use the contact form to get in touch. Thank you. Share 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

McBeth Highest Rank Researching Researching Service No. Researching Researching Company Researching 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

Private Casualty Information Private JAMES TOOLE Service Number Age Date of death 3602688 28 30 October 1944 Company: Researching Son of Francis and Jane Toole; husband of Catherine Toole, of Cleator, Cumberland. 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 Share In Memorium Memorial OVERLOON WAR CEMETERY II. B. 3. View Cemetery Photo Credits:

Private Casualty Information Private JOHN PORTEOUS Service Number Age Date of death 14893399 0 06 December 1947 Company: Researching Researching 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 Share In Memorium Memorial RAMLEH WAR CEMETERY 11. B. 12. View Cemetery Photo Credits:

L/Cpl J.H. Webb Previous Next Wounded In Normandy L/Cpl J.H. Webb Service No. 2933439 Company: Unknown Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). The Cameron Highlanders Date Wounded: Sunday, 09 July 1944 Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.) Possibly wounded by enemy fire whilst attacking/on patrol in Caen View This Day If you have any information on this soldier, please use the contact form to get in touch. Thank you. Share 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

Private Casualty Information Private ROBERT E. KINNEY Service Number Age Date of death 14000177 21 09 March 1945 Company: Researching Son of Patrick Joseph and Elizabeth Margaret Kinney, of Middleton, Leeds. 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 Share In Memorium Memorial SWILLINGTON (ST. MARY) CHURCHYARD Sec. D. Row 7. Grave 11. View Cemetery Photo Credits:

Operation Name: Goodwood 18 July 1944 To 19 July 1944 War Office Map of Troarn Area Courtesy of Normandy War Guide KOSB_Troarn_Then_SP.png KOSB_Troarn_NWG.jpg War Office Map of Troarn Area Courtesy of Normandy War Guide 1/5 "Cambes had been a grim, desperate experience; Troarn would for ever be to us the symbol of our deepest tribulation..." WIG WILSON Bttn Padre, 1st KOSB Tuesday, 18th July, 1944 * 08:15 1st KOSB War Diary Bn left for assembly area near LE MESNIL (133727). After waiting there for a short time the move to FUP (forming up point/postition) was commenced. Route -> HEROUVILLETTE and mostly cross country, almost due South to position West of TOUFREVILLE. Enemy mortar fire was encountered on route. Google Map of 1st KOSB movements - Rob Bowie "We moved off through the summer fields, hugging the thick hedgerows, to an assembly area near Escoville. For an hour or two we lay there in the orchards, listening to the distant rumble of the battle and every now and then receiving excellent news of the armoured advance and the 8th Brigade operation. It now appeared that all the British armour had been secretly switched to our side of the River Orne and was moving up in tremendous force to break Rommel's grip on the Caen-Falaise sector". WIG Wilson , A Short History of the 1st Bttn KOSB in North West Europe IWM footage (above) : 'Armoured infantry units assigned to 1st Corps assemble in the Orne bridgehead for Operation "Goodwood" as more reinforcements cross the Orne to join those formations taking part in 8th Corps' massive assault on the German lines south-east of Caen'. "Moving through the ruins of Escoville the Borderers climbed a long slope and dug in amongst the cornflowers and poppies and waited. Casualties had begun to mount as a German OP in the woods to their left was bringing down effective fire and a steady stream of “ moaning minnies ” [*Nebelwerfer = 'Fog Thrower']. IWM Image (above) - 'A British soldier examines an abandoned German 'Nebelwerfer' near Troarn, Normandy, 20 July 1944. The CO Lt Col GD Renny was wounded twice but refused to go back, the Jocks were now suffering from thirst and the intense heat. The message was received that 8th Bde had cleared the village of Sannerville, the CO ordered the advance towards Troarn, in the lead D Company moved across the fields into the village and pressed beyond. Company Objectives map courtesy of Rob Bowie The Germans now reacted viciously the lead Platoon of D Coy ran into accurate Mortar fire as it emerged from the eastern exits of Sannerville and as the rest of the BN moved into the village they came under fire from 88mm and snipers". From KOSB.co.uk Sgt Frederick Meggitt M.M. Treated by 2nd RUR Medics for gun shot wounds to left arm, 18th July, 1944 "On the morning of July 18, the Battalion moved off via HEROUVILLETTE, TOUFFREVILLE to SANNERVILLE. This was the worst approach march the Battalion had ever experienced. It was a hot summer's day and having to follow the same route as an armoured Div and we were completely overlooked by the enemy. Enemy shells and mortaring was heavy and we experienced for the first time the enemy's multi-barrelled mortar (Nebelwerfer) - several casualties were suffered by the Battalion, including the CO, Lt. Col G.D. Renny . He was wounded in the face and arm but refused to be evacuated". Notes from personal records of Major James Gray M.C. Captain and 2i/c of A Company Major James Gray, taken in April 1945 "You could hear the screech of the German 'moaning minnies' in the distance and you knew you had just seconds to get into your 'pit' [slit trench]. Even then you weren't safe. My best mate was killed when he ran back to his dug-out to fetch his hat. The shell landed right on top of him". Lance Corporal David Morrison , 1st KOSB Lance Corporal Morrison in the middle-east 1st KOSB War Diary Enemy mortar fire was encountered on route. The Commanding Officer was wounded but carried on in command, and other casualties occurred. The advance to TROARN was commenced and after reaching SANNERVILLE "D" & "B" Companies pushed forward encountering enemy MGs, whilst enemy shelling continued. After an attack by "B" Company the Bn occupied a position in orchard 150678. Consolidation was carried out. "On the Monday (sic?) morning was the heavy bombing of Sannerville and areas close to Troarn, we moved forward through Escoville to Touffreville and on to Sannerville, the trouble was on our left, the hills and woods of Beauvent (?) [*Bois De Bavent] where the German guns were situated". 1st KOSB Veteran, Jeff Henderson Jeff Henderson "During the morning and early afternoon the Brigade moved to a forming place about a mile and a half west of SANNERVILLE. The 1st Kings Own Scottish Borderers supported by the tanks of the East Riding Yeomanry advanced. Both tanks and infantry had considerable difficulty getting through the rubble of SANNERVILLE." Christopher Dunphie The Pendulum of Battle 2004, p136 16:00 9th Infantry Brigade War Diary: The Bde adv on TROARN began with LEFT 2 RUR and RIGHT 1 KOSB. "Our next objective was a place which any 1st Battalion soldier will never forget. We were in an orchard with clumps of trees on three sides and a railway line between between us and the Germans. The first two companies moved out and were immediately caught in devastating machine gun fire. The third company also ran into accurate fire from mortars and machine guns and all companies suffered heavy casualties. Google Map edited by Rob Bowie We went forward accompanied by three Sherman tanks belonging to an independent brigade. The first Sherman led the attack but it was hit and slewed around on fire. The second tank didn't even fire a shot before it too received a direct hit. As the smoke cleared the third Sherman fired a couple of shots, and a few rounds from its machine gun and the commander must have seen what kind of opposition faced him. US M3 Sherman tank (Imperial War Museum collection) There was a battery of anti tank guns, backed up by self propelled heavy armour and we suspected that the mighty Tigers were not too far away. The Sherman withdrew quickly into the woods to seek some kind of cover. We had to make a run for it and managed despite the heavy fire to reach the edge of the woods, near the curving railway line. We sorted ourselves out and took up a defensive position with the embankment between us and the advancing Germans. We were lucky they did not counter attack. We had lost two tanks and had over forty casualties. This all took place within the space of less than an hour. The place was called TROARN and we wont ever forget it". In at the deep end, page 45. Arthur V Looker , 1st KOSB veteran Arthur Looker 17:05 2 RUR [2nd Bttn Royal Ulster Rifles], whose first objective was the brickworks WEST of TROARN, were on the fwd edge of SANNERVILLE, their progress being greatly impeded by craters produced by the morning's air bombardment. War Office map courtesy of Normandy War Guide [edited] As daylight began to fade the Rifle Companies edged their way forward through farmyards and along the railway line. Control was difficult the rubble and destruction was everywhere, the Jocks were fatigued, and the only consolation was that the Germans were confused as well with many prisoners being taken. By last light the Borderers had pushed the Germans from the orchards and farms between Sannerville and Troarn but were held up by well sited machine guns along the sunken road and various strongpoints on the edge of town. Casualties were mounting and could not be moved to the rear, rations, water and ammunition were running low, and nothing could get forward due to the terrain. The Borderers were ordered to dig in and attack again in the morning. A difficult night ensued continual enemy fire, fatigue meant many men never dug in, the mosquitoes descended and the many wounded suffered in pain. The enemy brought in fresh troops and strengthened his position and sent out patrols against A Company inflicting casualties. 19:00 "With the KOSB on the right and the Ulster rifles on the left the eastward advance on TROARN began. The KOSB had trouble bridging the stream on the main BANNEVILLE-TROARN road and eventually at 7pm, crossed by a scissor bridge erected by the Ulsters. To attack LA CROIX DE PIERRE which they took at last light consolidating in the orchard". Assault Division Norman Scarfe 1947 p76 By No 5 Army Film & Photographic Unit, Wilkes (Sgt) - http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib//46/media-46125/large.jpgThis photograph BU 860 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25343045 "Despite many attempts to the Borderers had failed to cross the river Cours *(Cours de Janville). Brigadier Orr ordered them to break contact in the south move North and cross by the Ulster Rifles bridge and then drop down to resume their advance". The Pendulum of Battle Christopher Dunphie 2004 p136 21:30 "The Borderers had taken LA CROIX DE PIERRE a small clutch of buildings about halfway between SANNERVILLE and TROARN". The Pendulum of Battle Christopher Dunphie 2004 p136 "Lance Corporal David Peter was leading his section around the outside edges of what they had been told was a minefield when, three or four yards in front of him, there was an explosion which he thought was an enemy bomb. He was blown back into this supposed minefield and landed on his knees, fully conscious and with no pain. He noticed his left arm was shattered and pretty 'tattered and torn'. L/Cpl David Peter, wounded 18/7/1944 He checked on the rest of his section and asked if they could come to his assistance. "No' bloody likely!" came the reply. He took a deep breath and walked out unaided then was attended to by his comrades and a Battalion medic. He was given a shot of morphine and told to walk to the rear where there would be an aid station". From Sandy Peter, David's son. "The place was called TROARN and we wont ever forget it!" Arthur Looker, 1st KOSB Veteran 19th July, 1944 * 07:00 First light saw the arrival of food and supplies, throughout the night, bulldozers had been out making the routes passable. The BN now prepared to attack with A&C Companies to lead and secure the junction while B Company would go through to secure the main part of the town, D Company would secure the bridges and eastern exits. 1st KOSB Objectives, courtesy of Rob Bowie 9th Infantry Brigade War Diary 1 KOSB were close up to TROARN Station but encountering strong opposition and 2 RUR had reached main road running NORTH and SOUTH WEST of TROARN. The latter encountered an enemy strongpoint in the church in square 1569, a church which was to change hands continually for many days to come. Troarn Station 10:00 1 KOSB made a set piece attack at 1000 hrs along the road and railway axis, but met vigorous opposition and suffering 150 casualties, were unable to advance, being ordered to hold their position while 2 RUR attacked from the NORTH with 2 LINCOLNS attempting a diversionary attack from the SOUTH. "19th July there was heavy fighting in an attempt to take Troarn - Lcpl H Hardman (nicknamed 'joe' because he looked like Stalin) was killed there when he tried to dash across the town square - two bren guns providing covering fire both jammed as he was in the middle of the square - he was cut down instantly" . Quote from R Moffet , D Coy 1st KOSB. Lance Corporal Hilton Hardman "I could see that on my right, D Company were being absolutely destroyed. L/Cpl Hardman was hit in the back. I whipped out my field bandage but it wasn't any good. He died 20 minutes later". Sgt Fred Hartle , D Company. 10:30 9th Infantry Brigade War Diary The gunners put down a 15 minute mission on the sunken road after which the companies moved forward under cover of the railway embankment. The attack failed. Corporal Thomas Adams from Hawick, killed by a sniper at Troarn, 19th July, 1944 "It was clear that the enemy had appreciated our intentions on Troarn, as he made vigorous attempts to delay our advance before nightfall with careful artillery and mortar action. "D" Company was particularly unlucky; its Headquarters was hit several times. Furthermore the Germans made clever use of their knowledge of the country: they booby-trapped a farm-house in which many men of a "B" Company platoon were wounded, and from the vantage point of a signal-box they inflicted several casualties on "C" Company. This signal-box, and a sunken road on the outskirts of Troarn, were basic and formidable elements in their defensive preparations and were decisive in the whole action about Troarn." WIG Wilson , A Short History of the 1st Bttn KOSB in North West Europe IWM Image (above) - 'Troops digging in a crater on the railway line near Troarn to make a platoon HQ. (Suffolk Regt.) Site of the old Station in Troarn, 2025 11:00 " 1st KOSB, supported by tanks of the East Riding Yeomanry launched an attack on TROARN railway station and the main cross roads 200 yards south east of it. They met heavy opposition, but, after a considerable battle managed to capture the station. However the Germans held a number of well-sited positions with interlocking arcs of machine gun fire, and all attempts by the Borderers to push on the crossroads were strongly resisted. Brigadier Orr ordered the 1st KOSB to hold the ground they had captured. Having been subjected to continuous artillery fire throughout most of the day which had cost them 150 casualties, had been forced to evacuate the station and pull back some 300 yards west". The Borderers in Battle, Hugh Gunning, P109 1st KOSB War Diary "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. Company Objectives 19th July 1944 IWM footage (above) . "3RD DIVISION'S 8TH BRIGADE CONSOLIDATED ITS HOLD ON VILLAGES ASTRIDE THE CAEN-TROARN RAILWAY" "The wounded were crowded in a shallow fold in the ground which served as an aid post, and a shell which landed nearby wounded the medical officer* ( Capt Peter Smith ) and members of his first aid team. Padre Wilson took charge and with the stretcher bearers did gallant work under heavy fire. Troarn Is remembered by the 1st KOSB as a place of great tribulation and discomfort". The Borderers in Battle. Hugh Gunning P109 Jack Ogle Jack Ogle was wounded and was told to go to the rear to get medical treatment. But, seeing the burnt out vehicles and continuous shelling of the road to the rear, he opted to return to his slit trench. His best friend Peter Cole was killed next to him. Jack's Grandson, Martin Ogle. Private Norman Bowie was critically wounded between Sannerville and Troarn. He had suffered horrendous injuries from gunfire to his head, arm, and shoulder. He was presumed dead and was left, as the battle moved on. He only survived because a Canadian [ CANLoan ] officer found him and realised he was still alive. Pte Norman Bowie (left) " With the help of a local historian and some detailed map coordinates we stood in the place where he was wounded between Sannerville and Troarn ". Rob Bowie 2024 Site of old railway line where Norman Bowie was wounded The Bttn regrouped back in Sannerville where they would remain for another 9 days, enduring constant shelling and attacks by German patrols. Finally, on the 31st of July, 1944, they moved to Bievelle to go into Army Reserve and celebrated Minden Day - the most important day in the KOSB calendar. "The battle for Troarn and other areas around Caen was known as ‘Goodwood’, those who took part were the 3rd Div, 11th Armoured, the Guards Armoured, 7th Armoured. The battle lasted 3 days with the loss of over 650 tanks and 7,000 casualties. After being harassed by mosquitos and German ‘Moaning Minnies’ we moved out on foot again to Bieville Beauville for regrouping and being given our Minden Roses 31st July to 1st August". 1st KOSB Veteran, Jeff Henderson THE COST July 19th 1944, saw the heaviest losses for 1st KOSB with 39 Killed in Action and 90 wounded in a single day. Total casualty figures for the attack on Troarn were: 41 KIA and 101 Wounded. KOSB Badge on poppy background Many of the casualties from the action on the 19th of July were buried in Ranville Cemetery and Banneville Cemetery Special thanks to Rob Bowie, Sandy Peter, Rodger Moffet, Fallen Heroes of Normandy archive, Normandy War Guide , Rob Houston, and Martin Ogle for their information, and assistance, with preparing this page. (Left to Right) Rob Bowie, Jane Bowie, The Mayor, Sandy Peter and wife, Joanne. Taken in Periers Sur Le Dan More about Norman Bowie (and the 'Norman D. Mouse' appeal to raise funds) on the Normandy Trust website. 1st KOSB Casualty figures Date D-Day+ Start location Finish Location Killed Wounded 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 TROARN

Sjt F.G.S. Brown Previous Next Wounded In Normandy Sjt F.G.S. Brown Service No. 3185852 Company: Unknown Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). The King's Own Scottish Borderers Date Wounded: Friday, 09 June 1944 Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.) Possibly wounded in attack on Cambes View This Day Frederick George Stewart Brown was discharged from the Army in October 1945. He married Mary Ann Rose in 1946 in Canongate and Portobello. At the time of his medals being awarded, in 1950, he was living in Edinburgh. If you have any information on this soldier, please use the contact form to get in touch. Thank you. Share 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

Pte A. V. Phillips Previous Next Wounded In Normandy Pte A. V. Phillips Service No. 3971454 Company: Unknown Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). The Welch Regiments Date Wounded: Wednesday, 21 June 1944 Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.) War Diary states '15 enemy shells landed in Battalion area'. View This Day Information Casualty List No. 1506. Handwritten notes on original source quotes "KOSB 1/BN – CL1537/37". Rank Name Private Service Number 3971454 Duty Location North West Europe Service British Army Regiment Highland Light Infantry (Corrected in Aug 1944 to KOSB) Battalion 1st Battalion If you have any information on this soldier, please use the contact form to get in touch. Thank you. Share 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

Pte W.W. Close Previous Next Wounded In Normandy Pte W.W. Close Service No. 2937342 Company: Unknown Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No). The Cameron Highlanders Date Wounded: Wednesday, 19 July 1944 Details of wounds - (Based on War Diary etc.) Possibly wounded in attack on Troarn. View This Day William Whitelaw Close was discharged from the Army in May 1945. At the time of his medals being awarded - April 1950 - he was living in Glasgow. If you have any information on this soldier, please use the contact form to get in touch. Thank you. Share 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

Hogg Geoff Private Rank in Normandy 14657689 Service No. 'C' (checking) Company Originally from The Border Regiment R G Hogg in KOSB uniform Robert Geoffrey Hogg was born in Westmorland on June 15, 1925 to Ernest E Hogg and Margaret A Fothergill who had married in 1922. He enlisted on July 15, 1943 and on April 1, 1944 was transferred to the 6th Battalion of The Border Regiment , taking part in training for D-Day with them. He landed in Normandy at 7:30 AM on D-Day on the Jig Green sector of Gold Beach. His unit stayed in Arromanches before being moved to a holding camp in Bayeux. In August 1944, some of them were transferred to the KOSB. A section of Gold Beach, Google Maps, 2025 1st KOSB War Diary for 1st August 1944 states: "A draft of 3 Offrs and 100 ORs chiefly from the Border Regt. arrived." *This will have been to reinforce the Bttn after heavy losses in Troarn 2 weeks previously. "On the afternoon of the 1st August we received a warning to prepare for a long move. Reinforcements of three officers and one hundred other ranks appeared and the day was fully occupied in sorting them out and in preparation for another battle. The Quartermaster's Department was working at full pressure to replace clothing and equipment, both sadly depleted by the events of July". WIG Wilson , A Short History of the 1st Bttn KOSB in North West Europe Shortly after they joined, the Bttn made their way towards Vire in an attempt to cut the Vire/Vassey road and link up with American forces in the area. On August 6th they successfully occupied Montisanger without opposition. However, later that day, two companies attempted another attack on positions south of a river near Pissot. They reached their first objective and pushed on but against heavy opposition, with many men killed, wounded or missing. Wounded men from The Border Regiment: Pvt E Parfett - 6th August 1944 Cpl David Scott - 6th August 1944 Pvt Robert Stenhouse - 6th August 1944 (KIA 19/4/45) Map of Vire/Vaudry area courtesy of Normandy War Guide On the 7th of August , Geoff was out on a reconnaissance mission in a platoon with Lt. Alan McQueen Don . Lt Don in Royal Armoured Corps uniform Lt. Don said to Geoff: " You will have to help me through this as I’ve had no infantry training." [Lt Don was in Intelligence and the Royal Armoured Corps previously] Geoff stayed very close to him after that. They came across a gap in the hedge and Lt Don was about to cross the gap but Geoff held him back saying there could be snipers about - but Lt Don said “ I will just have a quick look ." As soon as he did a sniper shot him through the head and he fell backwards on to Geoff. They carried his body to a shallow ditch and wanted to make a cross for him with a rifle - but being an officer he only had a sidearm which they left with him. Lt. Don has no known grave and was never found. *Another officer from the Border Regiment was also killed on the 7th August, 1944. Lt Stephen Heathcote Atkinson from Kendal in Cumbria now lies in the Saint Charles De Percy War Cemetery along with Corporal James William Burke Above IWM Interview with ex Border Regiment/1st KOSB, Private Leslie Gibson, A Company, 9 Platoon, in which he gives an account his time on Gold Beach, moving through Normandy and also the death of Corporal James Mackereth who was killed on 6th August. Also ex-Border Regiment - Cpl E Sanderson - wounded on 10th August 1944 Temporary graves in Vaudry - August 1944 - provided by the Ancien Combattantes et victims de la Guerre de Vaudry Vaudry Temporary Burials sheet - provided by the Ancien Combattantes et victims de la Guerre de Vaudry “Once Caen was cleared, the British were able to reach Saint-Martin-des-Besaces, north of Vaudry, where German troops were safely entrenched on the Perrier Ridge facing where we now live. This chateau sits right in the gap where Operation Bluecoat took place in July and August 1944.” Nick Shacklock, present owner of the Chateau De Pont de Vaudry, 2025 Chateau du Pont de Vaudry, from Nick Shacklock (current owner) After Normandy On October 22, 1944 , as a platoon of 1KOSB were checking if the enemy had withdrawn from the houses in Smakt, they were surprised by enemy machine guns concealed in the houses. One officer and 19 other ranks were presumed killed or taken prisoner with only five being able to escape. In this period 33 men were wounded, 10 were killed and 21 were missing. 1st KOSB War Diary for 22nd October 1944 There was some shelling and mortaring during the early hours of the morning. Very little enemy movement was seen. A patrol of A Coy reported at mid-day that the enemy had withdrawn his outposts just East of the railway line to the South of the village at the level crossing. During this time five 3-inch Mortars were shooting at targets selected by C Coy on their front. At 1400 hrs a platoon of A Coy tried to penetrate over the level crossing to the village, but were held up by Schu mines at the crossing. B Coy sent out 12 platoon under command of Capt TJ Young, who were to find out if the enemy had withdrawn from the houses in SMAKT. They penetrated into SMAKT without first clearing the houses, and were surprised by enemy MGs well concealed in the houses. Three men only managed to escape, and two more came back an hour or two later. The remainder (1 officer and 19 ORS) are presumed killed or prisoners. This confirmed that the enemy had not withdrawn. No patrols were carried out by us during the night. We were prepared to give the enemy a very bloody nose if he attempted a patrol. Smakt in Holland, Google Maps 2025 On November 14 , 1944 they moved back into positions west of the railway line in the area of Smakt. The take over began before first light when they took over exposed forward positions and standing patrols thought to be under enemy observation. The take over was completed, but Corporal John McGregor Drummond was killed by a sniper. Geoff was in a slit trench with Cpl Drummond whom he had known for some time before this incident. Cpl Drummond told Geoff to bail out the water in the trench while he got some straw from a nearby barn to put in the bottom of their trench, making it more comfortable. He thought he would be OK as there had been no reports of enemy activity in the area. He saw Cpl Drummond leave the barn laden with straw under both arms – then fall after hearing rifle shots. Geoff knew there was a sniper about and immediately ran for help zig zagging any snipers that may be out there as he had been trained to do, then dived into bramble bushes cutting himself all over. Smoke was sent into the area where Drummond had fallen but when the stretcher bearers went in, the sniper (who they never found) started firing through the smoke at them without success. Medics looked after Geoff and gave him some brandy. He asked how Drummond was and was told not to worry about him and that he was OK. Corporal John Drummond's details - courtesy of the Overloon War Chronicles 1st KOSB War Diary for 14th November, 1944 The take over began before first light when we took over exposed fwd posns and standing patrols thought to be under enemy observation. HQ opened at 783323 at 1100 hrs. The take over was completed by 1415 hrs. Cpl Drummond of C Coy was killed by a sniper in the Farm at 794328. The patrols were similar to those done by 2 Lincs the night before, that is D Coy standing patrol, by day and night at 797316 and C Coy Recce patrol to area of Steel Factory. Patrols reported enemy in Farm at 794328. *It was only in 2014 when Geoff’s son did some research on the history of the KOSB that he found that Cpl Drummond had died that day and is buried in Overloon Cemetery. Geoff was seriously injured in January 1945 , when he was hit by a mortar bomb and suffered severe shrapnel wounds to his leg, arm and body. He was taken to a hospital in Brussels where doctors spent the next three months attempting to remove all the pieces of clothing from his wounds while he learned to walk again. *(Later on, While talking to a section of German prisoners of war, he told the story about being blown up by a Moaning Minnie at the farmhouse near Venray. A POW spoke up and said to him: " That was me - we were testing a new version and I was told to fire a round off!” Geoff couldn't believe it!) IWM Image (above) German Nebelwerfer, nicknamed 'Moaning Minnies' by the British. Geoff was discharged from hospital on April 30 but then spent some time in various Reinforcement Holding Units and Transit Camps, still in North West Europe. He heard that they needed cooks in the Army Catering Corps so he took a cook’s course after the war ended. Geoff worked in camps at Ostend and Leuven, ending up at Oldenburg in Germany where he remained until he returned to England in 1947, having been promoted to Acting Corporal in April that year. After he was demobbed he took up work transporting army vehicles around England from an operation based at Quernmore Park. Geoff received the Legion D'Honneur in 2015 and celebrated his 100th birthday (with ex-KOSB and a piper) in 2025. Many thanks to Geoff's son, and grandson, and to the Overloon War Collection who also have a special page on Geoff https://www.overloonwarchronicles.nl/en/hogg-geoff Robert Geoffrey Hogg, 1st KOSB Geoff Hogg's 100th Birthday party Photo courtesy of Tony Mayor FB Robert Geoffrey Hogg, 1st KOSB 1/2 Previous Special Mention Share Next Special Mention