Tracing my Uncle's steps.

[Steve Lawson]

Hello all,
I joined this site in the hope that I may be able to find out where my uncle recieved his wound's, he later died from in hospital at Bayeux, on 23/07/44. Looking at the 4th Batallion diaries I can see that they were quite heavily involved around Evrecy. That's the sum total of what we know of Horace's unit's activities. Horace died aged just 20. My Father remembers him well and still misses him. We would dearly like to visit the place where he was wounded, so any information that may help would be greatly appreciated. Horace Leonard Lawson service number 14605776, 4th Battallion, Royal Welch Fusiliers.
Many Thank's,
Steve Lawson.

[Steve Lawson]

Further to my request for information on my uncle's unit. I wonder if it is possible to access the Medical Records of the Casualty Station at Bayeux , for the week leading up to my uncle's death on 23/07/44? How do I go about this? If I can find a date of admission then it will give me a date to check Battallion diary.

[ap1]

Hi Steve, have you applied for Horace's service record. You have all the required details. From approx the 21st July for about 10 days, the 4th Bn occupied the ruined Chateau De Fontaine, as part of 158 Bde who were holding part of the line between Evrecy and Caen.

Incidentally I have just read Beevors book D Day. Its a great read, but the 53rd Divisions part in the battle for Normandy is not really mentioned. In Red Dragon its states :

" In the Evrecy action the Brigade(158) was given an almost impossible task, the three battalions attacking an objective which was 2,500yds distant. They not unnaturally received very heavy casualties, and the ground was not captured for a further three weeks. It is for this reason that the Royal Welch Fusiliers have more names on the Memorial at Bayeux to those who have no known grave than any other regiment, and it was a fitting honour at the unveiling after the war that the Guard of Honour was provided by the Regiment."