Major Malcolm McWhor 6th Battalion 1944

[David Mabbutt]

Hello, I am researching the history of Major Malcolm Ferguson McWhor who served in 6th Battalion RWF, 53rd Welsh Division during WW2. (Service No 126145). He was killed in Normandy on 18th July 1944 and is buried at Hottot les Bagues CWGC. He was a pre-war member of my sailing club (West Kirby on Wirral) and I used to pay my respects at his grave when I lived in Normandy. I would like to know more about him...does he have any living relatives (he was married at the time of his death and lived in or near Rhyl, Flintshire, North Wales). Are there war diaries which could tell us what happened on the day he died ? Thanks.

[LarsA]

The 6th was attacking on Evrecy ridge. The book "history of the 6th battalion the Royal Welch Fusiliers" hold some info on the action. He was commanding D Company at the time.

Lars

[welchboy]

Found Reference to Major McWhor on following web site : www.Fallen Heroes of Normandy.org
Died 18.7.1944 age 26 years. Residence Rhyl, Flintshire.
Son of John Ferguson and Mary Senna McWhor, husband of Brenda, Rhyl, Flintshire

Malcolm Ferguson McWhor born Woodchurch, Wirral, Cheshire 1916. Reference Cheshire Births, Marriages Deaths. Ref : WOO/40/72

Married Brenda Lewis, St. Marys Church, Rhuddlan, 1942. Reference North Wales Births, Marriages Deaths Ref : CW08/02/E17

[ap1]

Hi David,

Please find two eye witness accounts of the action. One written by OC B Coy, and includes a brief account of the death of OC D Coy(McWhor). B Coy are the leading troops in the assault, followed by D Coy in Reserve with Bn HQ. It was an almost impossible task, rushed planning at Brigade/Div, perhaps not enough troops to task, compounded with a long open approach to the objective, in poor visibility against a well equipped/sited enemy. The document is faded but readable, and a good starting point to improve your subject knowledge.

Additionally a report from the battalions adjutant Captain Lamb, who was moving with Bn HQ and so his viewpoint is from a different perspective.

[David Mabbutt]

Thanks so much for this information.....a wonderful help in my research on Major McWhor. I am in touch with the Hill 112 Association over in Normandy and will see if they have additional information too. Much appreciate your time and effort on this. Best wishes David

[David Mabbutt]

Many thanks for this information......a great addition to the building picture on Malcolm McWhor....I would like to do a presentation on him to the West Kirby Sailing Club as he was a pre war very successful sailor of a boat called "Capella". Interestingly, almost a year later to the date that Malcolm was killed in Normandy, his boat "disappeared" from the River Dee, never to be found, not even wreckage !! Thanks again for the vital info you have provided....I am much obliged. David

[David Mabbutt]

Thanks Lars...I will get hold of a copy of the book on 6th Battalion. I have managed to get one on History of 53rd Welsh Division by C.N Barclay....whilst not in detail on 6th Battalion, it certainly gives overview. Thanks again for your help. David

[LarsA]

David, if you PM me your email I'll help with the relevant pages.

Lars

[Swiper]

The battle is fully covered in JDS, out this summer, and as mentioned Malcolm was killed by a burst of machine gun fire as they processed prisoners while C Squadron 147 RAC lingered back. Certainly a gifted Company Commander operating in exceptionally adverse circumstances.

In a nutshell the most common reasons given for the failure of the second battle of Evrecy, are very simple yet complex and most accounts have assumed the response was pretty passive (far from the case), as the Fusiliers tangled SS-Panzergrenadiere from 10th SS-Panzer Division.

Recriminations were certainly felt for this and Brigadier Stanley Oswald 'Silas' Jones stepped down a few weeks later to be replaced by Sugden. Unfortunately detailed documentation regarding his replacement isn't really available but using what information we have, but with a number of adverse reports from junior Officers and rumblings from 15th Scottish (potentially to avoid incriminating MacMillan), it seems this series of events led to his effective sacking by Dempsey.

[ap1]

Thanks Swiper. One of the things that i've read about was the short space of time for battle prep for some of the sub units. Reading a company commanders personal diary from the 4th Bn (can't recall his name at the moment…maybe Cutliffe), I think he recalls he literally had 30 mins, from the point that the CO returned, he felt it was rushed, or planning was lacking. A very senior staff officer, with modern day experience in this level of operational planning commented to me that the brigade had been given a task that should have been given to a division.