Jack Antoine Doucette

7/30/2019 Jack Antoine Doucette

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Jack Doucette(Jean-Antoine Doucette)

PteQueens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada

Jack was baptised as Jean-Antoine, but he preferred to us the name Jack. I was able to geta copy of his military records from the archives, there I learned that he joined the CanadianArmy on Dec 1 st 1941 in Woodstock; N.B. his regimental number was G19441, his first unit wasthe Carleton & York Regiment he transferred to the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada after arriving in England.

He had lied about his age, telling them that he was born on April 1 st 1922 instead of 1924which actually made him less than 18 when he signed up. This was not discovered until sometime in

Dec 1942 at which time he was already in England.

Jack embarked for overseas on the 1 st of June1942 and disembarked on the 11 th. Jack took some courses will in England, Im not sure what they were.

Jack was like many a young men, he got himself into a bit of trouble, got caught for beingAWOL a few times, did some detention and confined to barracks as well as having a forfeit inpay. Jack was awarded the 1939-45 Star, the France-Germany Star, the Defence Medal, WarMedal, and Canadian Volunteer Service Medal & Clasp. I dont know where these medals arenow; I wish I could find them.

1939-45 Star The France The Defence The War Canadian Volunteer German Star Metal Medal Service Medal

Jack belonged to the 2 nd Infantry Division, 6 th Infantry Brigade C Company, QueensOwn Cameron Highlanders of Canada.

Grandma wrote the then Queen of England asking that Jack be returned to Canada.Following is a copy of her letter and the answer that was sent to her after that is a copy of thetelegram that Grandma received on the 27 th of July telling her that Jack had been killed in actionon the 21 st.


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Letter from Grandma Gertrude


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Answer from Army Deputy Minister


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Telegraphs announcing Jack's death

Sequence of events for July 1944

1st of July 1944 the QOCHC were stationed near Barham Kent England. preparing toembark for France, a Church Parade was held on the 2nd prior to moving to a marshalling area,then on the 3rd the Highlanders split into two groups.

Vehicle Party (Jack belonged to this group) left at 05:30 hrs for Tilbury Docks viaLondon.

Marching Party the second group left at 09:30 leaving Broome Park for Shepherds Well,Kent to board a train from Shepherds Well at 11:35 arriving in Isfield, Sussex at 13:10. Troopsmarch to Sulton Hall near Lewes Sussex , the site of camp J6 and are quartered in tents, 8 otherranks or 4 officers per tent. The Fusiliers Mont-Royal where also in camp J6.
http://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Isfield%2c+Sussex+http://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Isfield%2c+Sussex+http://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Isfield%2c+Sussex+http://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Sulton+Hall+near+Lewes+Sussexhttp://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Sulton+Hall+near+Lewes+Sussexhttp://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Sulton+Hall+near+Lewes+Sussexhttp://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Sulton+Hall+near+Lewes+Sussexhttp://maps.google.ca/maps?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGHP_enCA437CA438&q=Isfield%2c+Sussex+


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The 4th of July was a day of relaxation at camp J6 with the troops being entertained bythe London Dance Orchestra, Cinema and a basketball game with the Cameron's defeating theFusiliers Mont-Royal. At 19:00 hrs Movement orders for 07:00hrs are broadcasted over thepublic address system.

The 5th was a fair day with light winds and good visibility.

Marching Party: The Cameron's are paid 200 francs per man and given 48 hrs rationpacks along with emergency rations, water purification tablets and cigarettes.

Vehicle Party: 07:00 hrs. The troops are loaded on to TCVs (Troop carrying vehicle)and are taken to Tilbury Docks where they embark on the USOS 0923 WILL ROGERS aLiberty Ship under the command of Lt Col N H Ross. The Will Rogers weighed anchor at 10:00hrs and arrived at the convoy rendezvous point (RV) at 12:45 hrs.

06 July was a clear, sunny and warm day.

Marching Party: 06:30 hrs the battalion is broken up into craft loads and board LCI(Landing Craft Infantry)

LCI (L) 344 under cmd of Maj J Runcie MC Leaves at 09:00 hrsLCI (L) 345 Maj R L Rutherford 09:50 hrsLCI (L) 339 Maj EP Thompson 13:15 hrs

The convoy leaves with 9 LCIs for the beachhead, through rough seas several cases of sea-sickness. Slight air activity during the night.

Vehicle Party: The Will Rogers remained in the Thames Estuary until 20:00 hrs whenthe convoy weighted anchor to the sound of Pipe Major McLeod playing The Farewell toGibraltar. A few bombs exploded in the convoy area during the night.

07 July Cloudy, warm with a light breeze.

M arching Party: The Convoy arrived at the beachhead at 07:00 hrs; they disembark atGraye sur Mer Calvados France at 10:15 hrs.

The troops were marched from the bridgehead to the concentration area nearRyes, and dug in around the hedgerows.

Vehicle Party: Arrived near the French coast at 20:00 hrs and dropped anchor offshore at

23:45 hrs.

08 July: Overcast, Visibility moderate with a warm light wind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_shiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_shiphttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landing_Craft_Infantryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_ship


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Cameron on Landing Crafts "B Company Landing at Graye sur Mer(Jack could be in this picture)

Graye sur Mer Today

Vehicle Party: Started unloading at 08:30 hrs landing at Graye sur Mer after off loadingthe vehicle party rejoin the marching party at the concentration area near Ryes.


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09th July: Cloudy, visibility moderate, intermittent rainfall.

The battalion stayed in the Ryes area, church parades were held, and a lecture was givento the battalion by the Corps Commander.

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July: Cloudy, Visibility good, light wind.

On the evening of 11 July, the unit moved to the vicinity of Rots and then relieved theQueen's Own Rifles of Canada at Carpiquet the next day.

Troops in Carpiquet 12 th July 1944

The next six days the Battalion spent digging in to avoid enemy shelling and patrolling toroot out enemy snipers and remnants. On 19 July, the Battalion left Carpiquet for an assemblyarea across the Orne River in preparation for the start of Operation Atlantic the next day. On theway to the start line the Battalion suffered casualties from enemy artillery and mortar fire. TheCamerons launched their attack on Saint Andre sur Orne from Fleury-sur-Orne , supported byartillery and Typhoon squadrons. "A" Company advanced on the right with "B" Company left,
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rotshttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpiquethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpiquethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpiquethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orne_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orne_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orne_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Atlantichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Atlantichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Atlantichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleury-sur-Ornehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleury-sur-Ornehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleury-sur-Ornehttp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/aircraft/typhoon.htmlhttp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/aircraft/typhoon.htmlhttp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/aircraft/typhoon.htmlhttp://www.fleetairarmarchive.net/aircraft/typhoon.htmlhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fleury-sur-Ornehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Atlantichttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orne_Riverhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpiquethttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rots


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artillery , mortars and Nebelwerfers (rockets). By 23 July the counter-attacks had dwindled tominor infiltrations that were easily handled and the Germans resorted to increased shelling. "C"Company was so reduced by this time that the remainder of 10 Platoon was sent from "BCompany to reinforce it.

The Camerons suffered heavy casualties in the fighting for Saint-Andr-sur-Orne : 52wounded (including the Commanding Officer and the Officer Commanding "B" Company) and29 killed. Company Sergeant Major Sutherland and Private G. T. Munroe were each awarded theMilitary Medal for their actions at Saint-Andr-sur-Orne and the Commanding Officer,Lieutenant-Colonel N.H. Ross, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his handling of the Battalion throughout the battle.

2nd Infantry Division8th Reconnaissance Regiment (14th Canadian Hussars)

4th Infantry Brigade The Royal Regiment of CanadaThe Royal Hamilton Light InfantryThe Essex Scottish Regiment4th Infantry Brigade Company, R.C.A.S.C.4th Infantry Brigade Workshop, R.C.E.M.E.

5th Infantry Brigade The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of CanadaLe Rgiment de MaisonneuveThe Calgary Highlanders

5th Infantry Brigade Company, R.C.A.S.C.5th Infantry Brigade Workshop, R.C.E.M.E.

6th Infantry Brigade Les Fusiliers Mont-RoyalThe Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of CanadaThe South Saskatchewan Regiment6th Infantry Brigade Company, R.C.A.S.C.6th Infantry Brigade Workshop, R.C.E.M.E.

The Toronto Scottish Regiment (Machine Gun)

4th Field Regiment, R.C.A.5th Field Regiment, R.C.A.6th Field Regiment, R.C.A.2nd Anti-Tank Regiment, R.C.A.3rd Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, R.C.A.1st Field Park Company, R.C.E.2nd Field Company, R.C.E.7th Field Company, R.C.E.11th Field Company, R.C.E.2nd Infantry Divisional Signals, R.C.C.S.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artilleryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artilleryhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortar_(weapon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortar_(weapon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortar_(weapon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebelwerferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebelwerferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebelwerferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Andr%C3%A9-sur-Ornehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Andr%C3%A9-sur-Ornehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Andr%C3%A9-sur-Ornehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_Sergeant_Majorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_Sergeant_Majorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_Sergeant_Majorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Company_Sergeant_Majorhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Andr%C3%A9-sur-Ornehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebelwerferhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mortar_(weapon)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artillery


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2nd Infantry Divisional Troops Company, R.C.A.S.C.No. 10 Field Ambulance, R.C.A.M.C.No. 11 Field Ambulance, R.C.A.M.C.No. 18 Field Ambulance, R.C.A.M.C.No. 2 Infantry Divisional Ordnance Field Park, R.C.O.C.No. 2 Infantry Troops Workshop, R.C.E.M.E.

Jack was killed on the 21 st of July 1944 during the battle for St. Andre-sur-Orne. On hismilitary death certificate the date is shown as unknown, but buried on the 28 th of July, on theNew Brunswick certificate of Registration of Death and his Service and Casualty Form, itstates the 21 st of July 1944 as date of death. Im a bit confused as to the delay in his burial if hewas killed on the 21 st July why was he not buried

until the 28 th July. On the military death

certificate it said that he was originally buried in a Flurey-sur-Orne (023649), in walled gardennext to the caves I believe that he was moved to the Canadian Temporary Cemetery inMondeville probably on the 28 th of July 1944 and he was re-interred in Canadian War CemeteryBretteville-sur-Laize Calvados France. Grave Reference : XI. E. 2 o n 28th April 1945. (Ref:Commonwealth War Graves Commission).

I have discovered that the (023649) refers to a grid on the Modified British System usingthe coordinates translator and the French Lambert Zone 1 VU023649 gives me a lat/long of N49.15238 W-0.37364 which falls right in Flurey-sur-Orne within a 100 meters from thesecaves.

The Caves in Flurey-sur-Orne


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Aerial view of the area around the caves

Canadian War Cemetery Bretteville-sur-Laize Calvados


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This cemetery lies on the west side of the main road from Caen to Falaise (route N158) and just north of the village of Cintheaux. Bretteville-sur-Laize is a village and commune in thedepartment of the Calvados, some 16 kilometres south of Caen. The village of Bretteville lays 3kilometres south-west of the Cemetery. Buried here are those who died during the later stages of the battle of Normandy, the capture of Caen and the thrust southwards (led initially by the 4thCanadian and 1st Polish Armoured Divisions), to close the Falaise Gap, and thus seal off theGerman divisions fighting desperately to escape being trapped west of the Seine. Almost everyunit of Canadian 2nd Corps is represented in this Cemetery. There are about 3,000 allied forcescasualties of the Second World War commemorated in this site. There are 100 Queens OwnBuried in Canadian War Cemetery Bretteville-sur-Laize, 21 of them died on the 21 st of July1944.

Jacks Grave


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Link to a video on my visit to Jacks grave site in September 2011.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0sNGjkNh0

The following paragraphs are taken from the personal war diary of Reverend T.R. Davis ,

M.A., B.D., and D.D and dated 17th July 1944 . This is around the time when Jack was killed.He was also in Fleury-sur-Orne on the 20 th he may have been there for Jacks first burial.

I had nine voluntary services yesterday and the attendance was almost 100%. Mendont have to be compelled to go to church in the present circumstances. As a matter of fact, Ihad requests for services which I was unable to fill. Perhaps the most successful service of theday was held in a shell hole. You will think that the congregation must have been very small,but 30 of us sat in this cavity and there was plenty of room. I walked around the rim of the holeand it took me 45 steps to get around. It was about 12 feet deep so that we could stand up andstill be concealed. The lads called it their Rose bowl, and had it fixed up for the service beforeI arrived. The last service of the day was one to be remembered because of the manner in which

the lads sang Abide with me.

My message was based on an experience I had on the previous day. I had visited thechurch in Carpiquet that had been completely wrecked. There was little left except rubble and Itried to imagine what it had been like before the shells landed. Someone had been there ahead of me and had attempted to restore the altar. The base was there with the carved figure of a lamb.Above this there was a cross but the image of Christ had been blown off. The empty cross hadbeen put in place and the shattered figure had been gathered up and placed on the pedestal at thefoot of the cross. I knew that someone with a sense of value had visited the place and hadperformed this act of reverence. I discovered later that it was lads from my own battalion. Thetheme of my message was that there is some hope for a world when there are people who

recognise that some things have to be preserved and are willing to make some effort to savethese things from the rubble. It is depressing to see so much destruction and it is very easy tobecome cynical. The hope of the future is in the people who see that some things do matter andwho are willing to put forth a bit of effort to see that they are preserved and furthered.

We passed through the rubble of Caen on the 18th of July. I put on my respirator toprotect myself from the smell of death and corruption. We moved southward along the bank of the Orne River and prepared for the assault on St. Andre-sur-Orne. In the few days that followedthere was rain, mud, and machinations of the enemy that caused the jitters in some and anxietyfor all of us. They were sad days because we saw so many of our friends evacuated to hospitalsor to that realm that we knew was more peaceful than ours.

It was on the evening of July 20th, after a terrible day at the Regimental Aid Post,that I wandered by myself to the village of Fleury-Sur-Orne . I wanted to be alone and I hadmy opportunity. The village was deserted. I looked at the church building with the walls stillstanding. I read a few of the inscriptions on the walls. I was reminded of my boyhood days inQuebec and found my ability to read the language very rewarding. The darkness was coming onso I decided to return to my blankets at the roadside. I knew that I would miss the nightly chatwith Jim and Howard. Both of them had been killed that day. I didnt need a souvenir to remind
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0sNGjkNh0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0sNGjkNh0http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VY0sNGjkNh0


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me of the day, but I remembered my sermon of Sunday before and picked up a piece of glassfrom the rubble around the Fleury church. It was a small square piece of orange colour. It took up little space in the pocket of my battle-dress tunic. I returned to the friends that were left. Itwas a horrible night with flares lighting up the sky and enemy planes flying low and sprinklingthe area with machine-gun fire. I tried to find some protection behind some bales of hay, trusting

that tracer bullets would not set them aflame. It was a relief when daylight returned. In the earlymorning, our men began checking over the territory that had been won the previous day. Whenthey were going through the church at Fleury, they found seven German soldiers hiding in thebalcony. They had hidden there to let the war pass them by. They were frightened lads. Theymust have been there when I was prowling about on the previous night. If I had known of theirpresence there would have been eight frightened men instead of seven. During the remainingdays of July 1944, we were held up in the same general area. The enemy was resisting fiercely.Our casualties were heavy and my days were filled with the sad task of burying the dead.

Picture of the stain glass window made from the pieces of glass that The Reverend Davispicked up from different churches in France


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WAR DIARY

QUEENS OWN CAMERON HIGHLANDERS OF CANADA APPENDIX 6

ON THE CAPTURE OF ST ANDRE-SUR-ORNE

1. On the 19 th July the Bn was concentrated in the village of Carpiquet.2. At 1500 hrs the Bn was ordered to move at 1700 hrs to an assembly area on the

western outskirts of CAEN with the object of preparing a night attack. The Bnarrived in the concentration area about 1830 hrs and were immediately ordered toproceed to SOUTH to the area FLEURY-SUR-ORNE. At approx2000 hrs the BN wasadvised the plan had been changed and the Bn was therefor assembled at map ref 629660 and the decision was that the attack must go in the following day. The plan

was as follows:3.

Object: To seize and hold the town of ST ANDRE-SUR-ORNE

Plan: Right A coy. Left B. Follow up C. Rear D coy.

Objectives: A coy- To seize and hold the orchards on the side of the road as farforward as the main rd running between ST Andre-sur-Orne and Hubert-Folie. Bcoy To seize and hold perimeter immediately EAST of the main rd and clear downSOUTH to rd ST Martin de Fontenay Verriers. C Coy To push through A andclear rd St Martin de Fontenay / Verrieres and to retire to perimeter immediatelyWEST of main rd in line with B coy. D coy To be prepared to take over any of the roads assigned to other companies.

Start Line: Was the line of road immediately NORTH of Pt 67 and the FUPimmediately in rear of start line. The Battalion arrived in the FUP at 1000 hrs andwas informed that H hr had been postponed from 1200 hrs to 1500 hrs. Hy Shellingand mortaring was experienced in the FUP causing some cas. Lt The Bn crossed thestart line on time and proceeded fwd without event for the first 500yds. At this point

communications received a severe shock and the WHITE SCOUT car was first knocked out of action and then blown up. A coy was the first to report any hold up.This was caused by enemy MG fire from the right flank. This was overcome by artyfire and later by MG fire from Pl of the TOR SCOTS situated in the quarry. B coyduring this period encountered little or no resistance. When the landing coys hadpassed the quarry it began to rain very Hy and 18 set comm. gradually faded out.However the coys continued to push forward and secured their objectives without


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too much opposition without too much opposition A coy moved somewhat to theright of the objective and accordingly the C O changed his plans and sent C coy tofill in the gap between A and B coys. On consolidation A coy moved further to theright thereby establishing a front from Church at 013612 incl. to Xrds 026613. WithA coy right C coy centre B coy rear centre. It was considered that this was arather wide front and C and B coys were ordered to withdraw slightly NORTHand draw in the perimeter. B coy had some difficulty during reorganization incountering local counter-attacks and suffered some cas but were able to consolidate.The CO therefore ordered D coy fwd to relieve B coy who was withdrawn inti Bnreserve. Counter attacks were then experienced over the whole front there beingparticularly hy inf counter attacks on A and D coy fronts. All were repulsedsuccessfully until dusk a counter attack which included 8 Panther Tks was put in onD coy front succeeded in knocking out 3 A tk guns before we had time to replyhowever Piats accounted for two tks and the coy fought until almost overrun when

they were withdrawn about 500 yds NORTH and linked up with B coy to hold theperimeter WEST of main rd. Counter attacks on A and C coys were attempted allthrough the night and some close fighting was experienced in places. Things becamequit towards morning with exchanges of SA fire at intervals. Tks were spottedaround 0900 hrs in various hold posn on the high ground to the EAST and SOUTH.

19 JULY 1944: At 1500 hrs Bn ordered to move from Carpiquet to area NW of CAEN. Immediately on arrival at conc. Area orders came to cross R ORNE toassemble for night attack. At approx. 20:00hrs plans were changed and the attack was postponed until the following day. B coy moved up forward position just NORTH of IFS and dug in preparatory to the schedule dawn attack on the village of ST ANDRE sur ORNE. The coy was mortared by Gerry while making up positions but suffered no casualties. The first contact by with the enemy.

20 July 1944: Plan for Attack was as followsOBJECT: To seize and hold town of ST ANDRE sur ORNE.PLAN: A coy right B coy left follow up C coy D coy reserveObjectives: A coy to seize and hold orchards on right of rd as far forward as

road between ST ANDRE and HUBERT FOLIE.

B coy seize and hold perimeter immediately EAST of main rd andclear SOUTH to rd ST MARTIN le FONTENAY Verriers then retire to perimeterWEST of main rd in line with B coy D coy to be prepared to take over any roleassigned to other coys.

Bn arrived at FUP at 10:00 hrs. NORTH of Pt. 67. Attack was postponed from1200 hrs to 1500 hrs. At approx. 100 hrs Bn was subjected to hy shelling and


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mortaring in FUP which continued until H hr. During the first part of this shellingthe Bn suffered some cas incl. Lt J Dickson CPO who was wounded. The Bn crossesthe SL on time still under enemy shellfire. Rain started to fall quite hy at about H hrwhich eventually hampered W/T comm. Considerably. Shortly after 1500 hrs whenthe Bn had advanced approx. 500 yds the SCOUT CAR was blown up by enemy 88mm gun fire and thus rear link comm. With 6 Bde severed Capt H Grundy, HQ COMDand LT J MALONEY IO were both killed in the SCOUT CAR. At approx the same timeLt P Plastow, D coy was wounded by shell fire. The adv. Continued as planned andthe enemy SA fire encountered until A coy was temporaely held up by MG fire fromthe right flank. This was quickly over come by arty. Fire and later by MMG fire fromTOR SCOTS from quarry on left of rd . The coys continued to push forward. andsecured their objectives. A coy moved to the right of their objective and the COaccordingly sent C coy in to fill the gap between B and A coys. On consolidation Acoy moved further right thereby establishing a front from Church at 013612

including crossroads. 026613 with A coy right C coy centre and B left D coy rearcentre. The CO considered this rather wide front and C and B coys were ordered towithdraw slightly NORTH and draw in the perimeter. B coy had some difficultyduring reorganization in countering local counter attacks but despite some cas wereable to consolidate D coy was ordered fwd to relieve B coy who were withdrawn toBn reserve. Counter attacks were experienced over the whole front being very hy onA and D coy posn. particularly. All were successfully repulsled until toward dusk ahy. Attack incl. 8 Panthers was put in on D coy front. 3 of our Atk. Guns were KOdbefore the coy could bring PIATS into play.. PIATS KOd 2 tks when the the posn wasalmost overrun. The withdrew approx 500 yds and linked up with B coy to hold theperimeter WEST of the main rd. Counter attacks were experienced by A and C coysall through the night and some very close fighting took place. The attacks lessenedtowards dawn with SA fire taking place intermittently. Lt Beech was wounded at 1600 hrs and also Lt Ridgeway at 2030 hrs.

21 JULY 44: At approx 0230 hrs two enemy vehicles proceeding NORTH on rd toFLEURY sur ORNE were engaged with PIATS by carrier Pl. Both were KO and crewsKilled Sgt McCrae got the first one which turned out to be a RED CROSS half track

carrying AMN and Cpl Stechyson got the 2 nd which was a tk breakdown vehicle. At approx 0500 hrs five enemy sneaked up behind the breakdown vehicle (thinkingthey were unobserved by us) One came out with his hands up and was challengedby Cpl Stechyson. Mortaring of our posns commenced and personnel improved theirtrenches during the day. The ones behind the vehicle broke and ran in a SE directionacross the field as did the one who came out with his hands up. Cpl Stechyson shot him dead but the others eluded capture although the sec went out after them and


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fired several rds. At 0900 hrs enemy tks were spotted on high ground to the east and south. Small tk attacks were met and overcome on left flank and in C coy area.A coy of enemy inf which infiltrated across the river to rear of Bn posn attempted toattack our posn in small numbers. These were rapidly thrown out and many PWwere taken by A coy and the scout Pl. Many minor counter attacks were beaten off And the Bn posn was hy mortared. Lt Le Fevre was wounded on this day. All day a tk battle raged around the perimeter of the orchard and 10 Pl was completely cut off from the rest of Bn and endured hy cross fire from tks and MGs but fortunately nocas. The coy did suffer cas, fatal and otherwise from enemy 88mm gun fire andmortars. In the evening Piat patrols were sent from the coy to the SOUTH of thevillage to engage the tks which moved in. The patrols were unsuccessful due to hy tk MG fire which drove both them and the fwd pl of C coy back. Under cover of darkness, 10 Pl withdrew back to the orchard for a rest.

22 JULY 44: The enemy attacked the posn of the house at 0600 hrs was held by 11Pl and were driven back, several cas suffered. A sec of 10 Pl under Cpl J C Woodwardcame up to reinforce the defence of 10 Pl were attached to C coy. Ten MK IVspecials and Panther Tks were seen on our left flank about 1000 yds off but noattempt was made to fire on us until approx 1000hrs. When they spotted our tksand Atk guns they opened fire. This was the commencement of a tk battle whichwent on the entire day, during which we succeeded between our tks and A tk gunsin KO about seven or eight enemy tks. On all coy fronts during the day small counterattacks were made by the enemy on C and A coy front using two or three tks insmall bodies on Inf. All failed except one which forced A coy fwd INF to withdrawinto the town. A counter attack was immediately teed up and the enemy were drivenoff and A coy re-established. At 1200 hrs the fwd troops of B coy were relievedby C coy and withdrawn to the main C coy posn. The men were given their first tea for 36 hrs and by an unlucky stroke of fate, 3 cas were suffered when mortarbombs came down while tea was being served. 10 and 11 Pls remained with C coyuntil evening when they withdrew and rejoined B coy in the Orchard. Meantimethe remainder of B coy assisted the SCOUTS in clearing a copse, NORTH of theOrchard, of enemy snipers and held posns in preparation for enemy counter attacks.Cas were fairly hy including many from Nebelwefers. Cpl Perrin JAR wounded by

mortar fire in back and arms and evacuated. Carriers 5 cwt is set on fire and burnscompletely. Carrier personnel mistake a Tk Sgt for enemy and shoot him dead. MajRutherford was wounded during the morning, and in evening the comd offr waswounded (Lt Col N H Ross) returning from Bde O Gp. Maj J Runcie MC OC D coyassumed comd of the Bn at this time. Towards evening the situation became quieter,sporadic firing only taking place during the night.


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23 July 44: On the 23 rd the enemy counter attacks lessened to minor infiltrationswhich were successfully handled. Considerable trouble was caused by an enemy 88mm gun firing into D coy posns. which caused hy cas for a time and forced the coy toalter their posns slightly t o avoid obs by the enemy. At this time Lt Morrison whoarrived as a reinf offr on the night of the 22 nd was killed. Shortly after noon of the22 nd Capt WW Willson acting OC of A coy, was killed by arty fire. During The earlymorning the Mortar P1 was moved from the quarry on the l eft side of the rd to therear of the Bn area and during the move considerable enemy was encountered fromthe quarry itself. The following morning the Tor Scots MGs destroyed a patrol of approx 25 men which had occupied the quarry as the mortar P1 left it.

24 July 44: Enemy activity during the 24 th was mainly confined to very hymortaring and shelling particularly on the Bn Hq and rear coy posn. During the daythe Bn was given the task o f completely clearing the area of St Martin on the left of

the road. This attack was teed up under Maj. Lane and composed of a compositeforce of B and D coys. The P1 comds for this task were Lt D Rogers o A coy, Lt SAChopp of c Coy Sgt McCree Sp coy and Sgt Nugent. H hr for the attack was 2045 hrs.Camerons placed under comd 5 BDE at Approx 1600 hrs. The above attak was tosecure the SL for 5 BDE attack on MAY SUR ORNE and FONTAINE le MARMION. Stiff Opposition eas encountered as the force crossed the Sl and reinf were necessaryduring the night to ensure successs. During the attack Maj Lane and Lt Rogers werewounded. Lt Chopp was killed. Maj Thompson OC C coy was put in comd and by0330 hrs H hr for BDE attack the SL was secured however it was 0630 hrs beforethe town was completely cleared. The attacking force occupied the area during thenext morning.

25 July 44: During the day following the failure of the 5 BDE attack on May surOrne elements of the BALCK WATCH REGT. And CALG HIGHs REGT WERE PLACEDUNDER COMD CAMERONS of C and instr of 5 BDE comd were to occupy ST MARTINin conjunct with the attacking force of B and D coys. Under comd Maj EP ThompsonA/CO. The complete force was given the task of holding the occupied ares. Thisprotecting the left flank of the R de Mais Regt who were to attack MAY sur ORNEfrom the right flank of the CAMERONS positions. This attack eas put in at 1900 hrs

andproved unsuccessful. During the night elements of the R de Mais returned to theCAMERONS area and on instruction from 5 BDE Comd the R de Mais took up defencepositions in ST MARTIN, thus relieving B and D coyso of the CAMERONS and theBLACK WATCH and CALG HIGHs elements. Lt. P Kenway wounded by shellfire.

26 JULY 44 : By 1000 hrs CAMERON Troups had been relieved from ST. MARTIN byR de Mais. CAMERONS were returned under Command 6 BDE at approx 1600 hrs


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Heavy mortar and artillery encountered all the day. Lt Dunhar OC SCOUTS wasbriefed by CO for patrol to MINE. OBJECT to find entrance to mine and locateenemy defence positions. Patrol returned at approximately 0400 hrs having met heavy MG fire and unable to approach MINE for observation.

27 JULY 44: Enemy activity confined to light mortaring until approx 1100 hrswhen concentrations were heavy until 1500 hrs.

Abbreviations:Bn BattalionCas Casualty

Comm CommunicationCoy Company FUP Forming Up Point (or Position)Hrs HoursHy Heavy Inf Infantry KO Knocked Out Mg Machine GunPIAT Projector, Infantry, Anti Tank Pl PlatoonPosn PositionPt Point PW Prisoner of War Rd/Rds Road / RoadsRds RoundsTk/Tks Tank/Tanks Xrds Cross RoadsYds Yards A tk Anti Tank

Bde BrigadeO Gp Order GroupComm` Command


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Enrolment Attestation


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Record of Service


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Record of Service


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Statement of Service


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Awards


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Field Service Report of Death


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Province of New Brunswick Certificate of Death


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Birth and Baptism Certificate


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Letter to Lillian His Sister March 1943


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The point described by the following " M o d i f i e d B r i t i s h Sy s t e m " c o o r d i n a t e s

F r e n ch L a m b e r t Z o n e 1v U 0 2 3 6 4 9

has roughly (* ) the following g e o g r a p h i c a l c o o r d i n a t e s :

Latitude : 4 9 0 9 ' 0 9 ' ' N Longitude : 0 2 2 ' 2 5 ' ' W

which equivalent in decimal degrees are :

Latitude : 4 9 . 1 5 2 3 8 Longitude : - 0 . 3 7 3 6 4

French Lambert Zone 1
http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-translation.php#s1http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-translation.php#s1http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-translation.php#s1http://www.echodelta.net/mbs/eng-translation.php#s1

Documents

Jack Antoine Doucette