John Reynolds Booth was born in Merthyr Tydfil, Glamorgan, Wales in August 1909. Son of John Sutcliffe Booth and Florence Margaret Booth of Punta Arenas, CHILE.

At the age of 2, he emigrated with his parents to Punta Arenas, Southern Chile. Growing up, he worked with his two brothers in a garage as motor mechanic. *His family were members of the Red Cross in Chile and there a chance John was too.

He sailed to the UK on RMS (RMMV) Highland Princess - arriving in Belfast 19/11/1942

On the 23/11/1942 he enlisted in the British Army receiving the Service No. 14412350. (This is listed as 'General Service Corps')

On the 31/12/1942 he was transferred to Royal Armoured Corps to begin his training on tanks. He joined A’ Squadron 2nd Troop in a Cromwell tank.

The main body of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards landed in Normandy on the 18th/19th July 1944 and headed inland.

On the 31st of July, they were given their first operation order. They were to head towards Vire in the West of Normandy to take part in Operation Bluecoat.

War Diary for 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards

Commanding Officer: Lt Col J E Swetenham

1 Aug 1944 - location. GRANVILLE (We believe this is Grainville Sur Odon)

The Regiment moved at first light to a fwd conc area 2½ miles SW of Granville.

17:00

The Regiment, with 1RB under comd, moved to area Canteloup in sp (support) of 131 Inf Bde, where it harboured for the night.

Night 1/2 Aug, Regiment attacked from the air, anti-personnel bombs being dropped. No serious casualties.

2 August, 1944

B Sqn, in sp of A Coy 1RB, ordered to clear pocket of resistance in area North of Coulvien (Coulvain)

Operation successful. Recce patrol under Lt J P Bissill reported rd junc 774547 mined. B and C Sqns continued the adv towards Query 7755 and, by the evening, were in posn North and South of the Villers Bocage - Coulvein rd, West of the rd junc at 773547. 50 prisoners were taken.

*Casualties:- Offrs: Lt Philo, Lt Marshall and Lt Irwin wounded. ORs: 7936683 LCpl Burns wounded, 317433 Tpr Hodgson and 14412350 LCpl Booth killed.

‘Witness account of the above incident:

"Whilst driving lead Cromwell tank towards a T-junction at Query, halfway across, he spotted a line of pencil box mines deep in the dust in the middle of the road. The tank stood on its’ nose and he was ordered to reverse.

The enemy gun was a short distance away, tucked into the side of the road by a barn.

They fired through the front of the tank, killing LCpl John (Eddie) Booth and his co driver Trooper George 'Billy' Hodgson".

*It is only right to also remember L/Cpl Booth's comrade, George Hodgson, on this page as they now lay side by side in Bayeux War Cemetery.

Name and Rank: TROOPER GEORGE HODGSON

Service Number: 317433

Regiment & Unit/Ship: Royal Armoured Corps, 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards.

Date of Death: Died 02 August 1944

Age 35 years old

Buried or commemorated at BAYEUX WAR CEMETERY

XIX. C. 18.

Additional Info: Son of William and Margeret Helen Hodgson, of Boosbeck, Yorkshire.

Personal Inscription: MEMORIES KEEP YOU EVER NEAR ONE WE LOVED AND STILL HOLD DEAR

In 2024, we carried out a series of interviews with another of the 5th Royal Inniskilling Dragoon Guards, Firefly Tank Gunner, Dougie Fowles. Click here to view his page.

Thanks to Sandie for gathering, and sharing, this information on her Uncle 'Jackie'.