William Parkin

The 4th Bn was an armoured battalion equipped with Churchill tanks and formed part of the 6th Guards Tank Brigade which landed in Normandy on the 20th July 1944.
Tracesofwar.com
War Diary:
1/8/1944: Les Loges 05:30 hrs: No1 sqn supported 6 RSF (Royal Scots Fusiliers) taking over high ground at Bois De Homme, Remaind there all day.
17:00 hrs: No2 sqn supported 6 KOSB (King's Own Scottish Borderers) on an attack on the wood NE of Bois De Homme, light opposition prisoners taken.
20:00 hrs: entire bn harboured together at same location.
2/8/1944: 04:30 hrs: No2 sqn took over from No1 sqn position with 6 RSF but was released from position later in the morning.
14:30 hrs: the bn ordered to pick up 6 RSF & occupy high ground around Pevilion, the order was not carried out due to congested roads. 21 Pz (Panzer)were in position to deny movement in the area.
20:00 hrs: entire bn harboured at same location.
3/8/1944: Pevilion 14:00 hrs: the bn moved across country carrying 6 RSF on tanks & proceeded to Le Tourneor arriving at 15:30 hrs.
18:00 hrs: 6 RSF supported by N03 sqn were ordered to attack the high ground around Arclais. No3 sqn were told to protect the left flank this attack was postponed until 21:00 hrs as infantry were not ready.
21:00 hrs: supported by airburst arty (artillery) barrage from the arty, not only 15 S Div and GAD but an AGRA & such fire available from 1st & 2nd Bn of the regiment the infantry supported again by only 4 tanks that could pass through incredibly difficult country, succeeded in taking their objective.
23:00 hrs: No3 sqn remained in their battle localities for the night.
4/8/1944: Le Tourneor: 09:00 hrs: No3 sqn remained with the infantry around Arclais in close support position.
18:00 hrs: No1 sqn moved out in support of 6 RSF in an attack on Montcherival. No2 sqn moved out after No1 sqn in support of 6 KOSB who were to occupy positions 227 &287 6541. Owing to the country No2 sqn were not in direct support of the infantry but on call.
20:00 hrs: enemy resistance at Montcherival was broken by 2 plns (platoons) of infantry supported by 2 tanks of No1 sqn. Several machine gun nests and half tracks were destroyed.
22:00 hrs: No1 sqn harboured west of Montcherival and were heavily shelled during the night, no casualties. The rest of bn harboured east of St Pierre Tarentane. No3 sqn having rejoined bn HQ.
5/8/1944: Le Tourneor: 09:00 hrs: No2 sqn moved up in direct support of 6 KOSB
14:00 hrs: Long range shelling killed 3 men of "B" echelon & wounded 8 men. The bn remains in same location as before.

According to CWGC 4 men from the 4th bn died on 5th August:
Dennis W Lloyd, Arthur James Oakley, William Parkin and Alfred Scott. Of course one of these may have been wounded in the days before and died of his wounds on the 5th. Another man, Cecil William Green died on the 4th August.

Mansfield Chronicle Advertiser: 17/8/1944: News of Local Soldiers:
Mrs T.W. Parkin of 93 Brownlow Road, Mansfield has received sad news of the death of her youngest son, Guardsman William Parkin of the Grenadier Guards. Who was killed whilst on active service on August 5th of this year at the age of 23. Employed at Sherwood Colliery before joining the forces he was educated at High Oakham School