Roy Spencer

1st Bn East Lancashire Regt: They were in Normandy from late June 1944 and took part in the advance on Caen.

War Diary:
25/6/1944: Sailed from Newhaven to Juno Beach: Landed from LCI (Landing Craft Infantry). Landed at 15:35 hrs and moved to Banville.

31/7/1944: Mondrainville:
03:30 hrs: 'A' & 'D' coys take over position from H.L.I (Highland Light Infantry)
08:30 hrs: 'C' coy take over defensive posn in Les Vitains as Bde Reserve Coy.
11:00 hrs: Bn take over complete. Coys on position 'A' -924606, 'B' -924620, 'C' -926624, 'D' -929613, 2 carr secs 926608.
Fairly heavy enemy mortaring, C.O. hit by small splinters from mortar, not evacuated. Capt Whitehead & Lt Davy wounded and evacuated. Lieu Wyatt killed, Capt Coffey evacuated sick.
23:30 hrs: 'A' & 'D' coys patrol fwd to verify enemy posn. Digging continued throughout the day, incl use of Bulldozer for command post & blowing of weapon pits.

1/8/1944: Gavrus: Quiet morning but frequent mortaring in the afternoon causing casualties.
20:00 hrs: Unexploded rocket projectiles landed in 'A' coy area.
22:00 hrs At confrence told enemy likely to be withdrawing. energetic patrolling ordered.
23:30 hrs: Patrol under Capt Jeavons set out to recce enemy positions.

Gavrus is a village south west of Caen.
Roy was the battalion's only casualty on the first of August.

Buried at Ryes War Cemetery, Bazenville, France plot V. E. 10.