John William Davis

Under command of the 8th Armoured Brigade, the regiment landed on King Green, Gold Beach, at 07:20 on 6 June 1944 as part of the D-Day landings, supporting the 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division. Most of the burials in Hottot-les-Bagues War Cemetery were brought in from the surrounding district, where there was much heavy fighting through June and July 1944 as Commonwealth forces tried to press on from Bayeux in an encircling movement to the south of Caen. Operation Martlet , the 1st Tyneside Scottish and the 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards prepared to attack la Grande Ferme, with the right flank guarded by the 24th Lancers and the 12th (Motorised) Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps (12th KRRC) of the 8th Armoured Brigade, making an advance towards Tessel-Bretteville. The attack began with less artillery support, as much of the extra artillery made available on 25 June, reverted to the support of VIII Corps. German return fire from tanks and concealed machine-guns, forced the infantry under the cover of banks, which had been ranged by Nebelwerfers (Artillery rockets) and were immediately bombarded. Beyond le Bordel Rau stream, four dug-in Panther and Tiger tanks of the 12 SS Panzer Division held up the attack, as well as a company of infantry in la Grande Ferme of Panzer Grenadiers, Lehr-Regiment 901 infantry, and dug in around Tessel Wood. The 12th KRRC crossed le Bordel Rau stream at midday but were pinned down and six Dragoon Guard Sherman tanks were knocked out attacking the farm. At 4:00 p.m., the infantry were withdrawn 3 miles to Le Haut d'Audrieu, except for a small party which reached the farm. C Squadron, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards lost 3 Sherman's and a Firefly. Sgt A.R Rogers, L/Cpl Fairman, L/Cpl Davis , Tpr J.W Birch, Tpr S Francis, and Tpr E. James killed and another 6 wounded which included Lt J.B Lilly who was 4 Troop Commander. Tpr James his Gunner and G.S Varley his Operator were also wounded. Later a Sherman and Firefly from A Squadron which were called upon to provide support were also knocked out. Tilly-sur-Seulles was eventually captured, but totally destroyed during the operation which saw it change hands 23 times. 76 members of the local population were also killed. The 12 SS Division losses during the fighting in Normandy, in the three months from June to September, amounted to over 80% of its troops and tanks. Over 60% of its armoured vehicles and artillery were also lost forcing the majority of its forces to pull back to Germany. Buried Le Haut D'Audrieu with Troopers R Hurst and V Copping.

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