CDN/141, Lt. Arthur D. Crighton - KIA 10 Jul 1944

Canloan officer Arthur Crighton served with the 6th Bn, RWF, in 1944 and was killed during a raid on a house near Caen on 10 Jul 1944.

Can anyone tell me any specifics of the action from the war diary?

He is one of 103 people I am researching for his former high school in Toronto, Malvern Collegiate Institute. I am also in touch with his daughter who would be interested to learn more about the father she never knew. My son is a student at the school now.

I have read recently, Code Word Canloan, by Wilf Smith, in which I found a brief description of his loss that day but I would like to find out more.

I'll dig up the stuff on this later tonight, and then post some from the Bn History when I get access to that next week... not sure I have the relevant bit to hand, searching time...

When you say Battalion history, are you referring to a specific book? I have seen a couple of titles mentioned but, unfortunately, I can't get access to any of them.

Red Crown and Dragon and That Astonishing Company. How detailed are they on events in Normandy? Do they mention details at the battalion and company level?

The benchmark book for the RWF in WW2 is The Red Dragon by PK Kemp and John Graves. It was printed in 1960 and is out of print. It can be obtained from online booksellers, expect to pay in excess of £20. Its a good book, although it does contain errors and omissions. Although nothing new for you, this is what the narrative say's about Lt Crightons loss.

Rauray:

On one occasion a D Company patrol under the Canadian Lieutenant A.D. Crighton visited a house believed to be occupied by the enemy. The decoy section entered the house unobserved and silenced a machine gun, but was later ejected. Sergeant Cash, one of the section commanders, was crawling away when he set off a booby-trap which blew off part of his arm. The section dragged him back fifty yards but was unable to procure a stretcher and, to avoid further loss, had to leave him behind unconscious. At daybreak he recovered consciousness and began to crawl back on his good arm, using cornfields he could find. In all, he crawled over 1.500 yards under constant fire and reached the lines of a neighbouring brigade. They reported that he had arrived "cheerful as hell" in spite of further wounds in the body and head. After treatment at the regimental aid post he was sent on to a base hospital. Lt Crighton did not return from the patrol and was later found to have been killed.

Hopefully the diaries may produce some more detail. However I do wonder if he was lost in the fog of war. Clearly the guys were under extreme pressure, shown by the leaving of Sgt Cash. The use of the word "ejected" is also interesting. That would suggest they were overcome by the enemy within the house, to me ejection suggests that they were overcome by overwhelming enemy firepower. Perhaps that was where he was killed, within or nearby to the house.

Working at a university has its benefits! I just found the Red Dragon is available through interuniversity loan and I have requested a copy.

I have just contacted Lt. Crighton's daughter who shared this letter from the Adjutant that her mother received.

Here it is in part:

In Normandy, we were ordered on the night of 10th July to do a raid with one company. This task was given to "D" Company. The raid commenced with your husband leading his Platoon. They were soon involved in heavy hand to hand fighting with the enemy, and casualties were suffered by both sides . You will appreciate how difficult it is to recognize individuals in the dark, especially in the heat of battle. Nevertheless, it is definitely known that a grenade was thrown and your husband fell. Attempts were made by his men to get to him, but owing to the very close proximity of the enemy, heavy fire, and the resultant confusion, the attempts were not successful. As a result, your husband and some of his men fell into enemy hands.

All the Company Commander concerned could do was report him missing.... What evidence there was for...the second wire [informing of his death] I do not know.

Signed
H.R. Robert, Ajt.
The Royal Welch Fusiliers
Dated 20th November, 1944