John Falla

Killed 19/5/1940 during an attack on ‘A’ Echelon MT by Henschel Hs 123's (https://vgy.me/u/jAjVl7) of II. (Schlacht)/LG 2 based at Neuss-Kaarst, near the village of Opbrakel Belgium as the B.E.F were pulling back to the River Scheldt. Buried in the village church yard along with a member of the 1st Bn Grenadier Guards, both later moved to Adegem.

1940 May 19

0130 hours
Orders were received from 1st GUARDS BRIGADE for withdrawal at first light.

0145 hours
Commanding Officer 7th QUEEN’s REGIMENT arrived at Battalion H.Q. stating that his Battalion had been ordered to relieve the Battalion in the line forthwith. This was confirmed by 1st GUARDS BRIGADE and the details of the relief were proceeded with as rapidly as possible as daylight was approaching, but owing to lack of warning of this move and the absence of the 7th QUEEN’s REGIMENT Company Commanders the relief could not be completed before daylight, at which time enemy activity started on the whole of the Battalion front, particularly on the left. Enemy snipers and men with tommy guns harried the relief, and one of the latter killed 2/Lieutenant P. BARING as he was leading the incoming Platoon to the position.

0700 hours
after a most anxious time on the Left, when the Carriers and No. 3 Company took up position to cover the relief of No. 4 Company the Battalion got away without further casualties and rendezvoused in an orchard at MUIJEN where they rested until 1000 hours and withdrew to the line of the ESCAUT. Orders for this withdrawal were issued verbally by the Brigadier at about 0800 hours. The Battalion marched as far as NEDERBRAKEL, being shelled on its way to the main road, and the ‘A’ Echelon Transport which went ahead under Lieutenant E.W.S. FORD was bombed and machine gunned from the air, receiving four casualties. The Battalion embussed in Tpt [sic] carrying Lorries at NEDERBRAKEL at about 1200 hours, debussed 3/4 hour later at QUAREMONT, then crossed the river at BERTHEN and marched to lay up in a wood North of PONT A CHIN. A very long march and owing to the frightfully crowded state of the road, dust and heat, it was a very tiring one.

Major O.W.D. SMITH and Captain P.J.C. RADFORD-NORCOP returned from ‘B’ Echelon.
Captain R.N. BRINCKMAN proceeded to ‘B’ Echelon.
Captain P.J.C. RADFORD-NORCOP held the line of the Canalised River ESCAUT with a covering party taken from all Companies.

Unknown