HISTORICAL CONTEXT

2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division landed on Jig Green sector, Gold Beach at intervals from about 07:45 on D-Day.

C and D Companies were able to get off beach just after 09:00 and approached Le Hamel from the east. A and B Companies begun to move inland by 10:00. The regiment's assembly area was meant to be in Asnelles-sur-Mer but it was still in German hands.

C Company had become committed in Le Hamel as they advanced due to sniper fire but the rest of companies bypassed the assembly area and advanced to their first objective, the capture of Ryes.

A and D Companies led but suffered many casualties as they were harassed by mortar and machine gun fire as they advanced along the axis of the river. A Company was left to contain the German attack whilst B and D Companies were ordered to bypass them and captured Ryes with little opposition.

They took up position north-west of Ryes and were joined by C Company later in the day. C Company was then sent forward to try to take Masse-de-Cradelle but they were unsuccessful and were held up in La Rosière. The circumstances of his death are not known.