Maj. Eric Stockton

Eric Price Stockton died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on 19th March aged 89. He was brought up in Hanmer, on the border east of Wrexham, where he worked for the family firm as a haulier. Called up in 1939 he served in the ranks of the KSLI before being commissioned in the RWF (very appropriately his birthday was St.Davids Day).

He served with the Welsh Division in Normandy 1944, being wounded that August. After recuperating he rejoined his unit in the Ardennes in December only to be wounded less seriously in the face. After further service in Dusseldorf and elsewhere in Germany after the end of hostilities, he served in the Trieste region at a time when the Yugoslav government was threatening Italy. He was a company commander, ending as a Captain and Acting Major.

He went back to the haulage business, until his retirement aged 73. After the death of his wife Valma in 1989 he moved to live with his son Clive Stockton on the Norfolk coast. He was active in the Hanmer Branch of the Royal British Legion and the Meals on Wheels service until incapacitated by a stroke in 2006, aged 87.

His funeral will be at St.Chad's Church, Hanmer at 11am on Friday 28 March.

As I am involved with the service, I would appreciate any recollections about him or further information concerning his military career.

Hi Clive,

A Baptism of Fire
Lt Stockton joined the 6th Bn in Normandy mid July shortly after the Battle of Evrecy. The battalion had taken a severe mauling, and now occupied a defensive postion on a Evrecy Ridge between Hill 112 and 113 south of the village of Tormauville, and were subject to constant shelling. the history of the 6th Bn notes:

"The complete Battalion position could be observed by enemy op's, which we knew to be located in the cornfields and among the knocked out tanks on our right. All movement above ground brought down a hail of mortar fire; the ground in many places was to shaley to dig deep slit trenches, and was completely open........ Any equipment left above ground was immediately riddled by shell splinters."

They moved from this location on the 21st July 1944, taking up a further defensive postion at Maltot. They patrolled constantly and were masters of No Mans Land, capturing many Germans. It was noted by german prisoners that althought the Royal Welch officers dressed exactly the same as their men, they could be distinguished by their moustaches!!

Later followed the break out from Normandy, during which the 6th Bn launched a battalion attack on enemy holding a dominant feature on the main route into Thury Harcourt. Over 70 prisoners were taken, and the fighting for the village was bitter.

On the morning of the 8th August of 1944, by now a Capt and holding the appointment of Intelligence Officer he was wounded by heavy shelling, during the advance to Leffard in an effort to close the Falaise Gap.

I cannot find any other mention in WW2 references.

I'm sure you will do him proud Clive:yes:

The funeral service at Hanmer went well today, even the wet weather dried up when we left church for the interment. More people turned out than we expected, which was good.

Lt.-Col. Richard Sinnett kindly provided some more information which may be worth sharing here:

Eric Stockton was commissioned into the 13th RWF on 4 December 1942. He was a first reinforcement to the 6th Battalion, date of posting 22 July 1944. He says it was on 16 August that Stockton was wounded, during a "stonk" of Battalion HQ. On recuperation he rejoined the battalion on 28 December 1944, as Carrier Officer. They were more or less on their way to the Ardennes.

He served with the battalion through to Hamburg in May 1945, then at Dusseldorff. He became CO of Support Company, until on 7 November 1945 he was transferred to the 2nd Monmouthshire Regt. The battn. magazine that month described him as "the youngest but most experienced Captain."

Thanks to everyone who helped me try to do justice to Eric's memory in today's service.

Well done Clive. It's good to know there are people like you around to acknowledge great Royal Welchmen such as Maj. Stockton.
Between you and Al it was great to read about a man who casually went back to his haulage business following an incredible stint in the forces.
Thanks
Dilwyn