Casualty Information
Private
ROBERT
McKECHNIE
Service Number
Age
Date of death
3191340
25
Tuesday, 11 July 1944
Company:
Unknown
Son of Donald and Grace McKechnie, of Glasgow.
War Service details:
Original Regiment joined- (Based on their Service No).
The Black Watch
1st Bttn KOSB location on day of death (According to War Diary)
Cambes
Previously wounded on 9th June 1944 in action around the Le Mesnil, Cambes area.
As the Bttn were in reserve, there is a chance that Private McKechnie died of wounds received during the attack on Caen (unconfirmed but makes sense looking at the War Diary)
The attack on CAEN.
The plan:
The Canadians were to attack from the West.
The RUR's in the centre from the North.
1 KOSB from the EAST.
The Bn moved off at about 0930 hrs over ring contour "60", which was under shell fire, to FUP on the Eastern outskirts of CAEN. The ghostlike houses slowly came to life as civilians began to realize we were entering the town. They came rushing out with glasses and bottles of wine.
As the Bn was forming up on the start line and trying to re-establish wireless contact with companies and Bde, four Boche were seen to withdraw towards the centre of the town. Soon afterwards our HQ was mortared leaving 1 killed and 1 wounded.
The Bn then proceeded to clear the town. Little opposition was met. Progress was slowed down by snipers and an occasional MG.
Much assistance and information was offered by eager civilians. Debris and cratered streets also made progress extremely difficult.
We eventually reached the RV in the Old Town and established contact with the RUR and pushed forward patrols to the river. Patrols met quite heavy fire from across the river and a number of casualties were sustained.
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In Memorium
Memorial
HERMANVILLE WAR CEMETERY
Panel 14, Column 3.
Photo Credits:
FindaGrave - E McKechnie, Thierry Briere