William Goodwin Vacey

Killed in action.

2 June 1942

0530 Bn. broke leaguer.
0545 Order from Brigade to stand by 5 mins. notice to move.
0615 CO to Brigade.
0645 Bn. group moved: Centre line Pt. 171 – Bir Belleffa (385412) – Bir (381421). Information; enemy tanks in this area. 381421
1030 Enemy tanks reported at area 371422. Bn. moved to this area. “A” Sqn. was given orders to patrol 37 grid line (Easting).
1200 “A” Sqn. reports MNS. At this time visibility was very poor owing to Khamsin
1500 Lt. C.T. Lyon-Williams, reported that he had taken 3 German POW but no further reports were heard from him and he did not return
1700 Enemy guns reported at 373414 and 373412.
1800 Bn. group ordered to move South to engage these gun positions at 18.15 hours.
1810 Group of enemy vehicles seen on skyline 3,000 yards W. of Bn. position. “B” Battery engaged immediately.
1815 These vehicles reported as enemy tanks.
1820 Bn. moved 1,000 yards due South and took up Battle line facing West and engaged enemy tanks to front. 25 enemy tanks advanced on our position, whilst 8 or 10 moved round our right flank towards our guns. “A” Sqn. protection left and right flanks. Heavy engagement took place.
1912 Action broken off. Bn. withdrew to B 673 at 385423 where we leaguered for the night.

Enemy casualties:- 20 Mark IIIs and IV s . (Mark III special tanks were seen).

Own casualties:- 9 Grant Tanks. 3 Stuart Tanks. 4 Stuart tanks evacuated. 2 Grant Tanks evacuated.

Bn. strength:- 8 Stuart Tanks. 1 Grant Tank.

Own personnel casualties:-
Killed:- CO Lt. Col. R.D.W. Uniacke. 5 O.R's.
Missing:- Lt. A.A. Beckett, Lt. C.T. Lyon-Williams, Lt. G.A. Smith, 42 O.R's.
Wounded:- Capt. A. Adams, 8 O.R's.

Unknown