John O’Neill (Service No. 14207563) was killed in action on 15 October 1944. He was a Fusilier in the 4th Battalion of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. He was initially buried near the Maria Regina Nunnery in Stevensbeek and re-interred on 22 May 1947 in grave II. D. 14 in the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Overloon. His inscription reads “Grant him, O Lord, eternal rest and let perpetual light shine upon him. Amen,”

Life Before the War

John Stephen O’Neill was the son of Michael O’Neill and Catherine Mary Kate McGrath who had married on 26 January 1909 in Ardragh East on Bere Island in County Cork, Ireland. Michael was a farmer. He had been born in July 1878 and Catherine (who was known as Mary) on 4 August 1887, both on Bere Island. The O’Neills had lived on Bere Island for several generations.

Bere Island or Bear Island (Irish: Oiléan Béarra, although officially called An tOileán Mór meaning “the big island”) is an island in Bantry Bay off the Beara Peninsula in County Cork, Ireland. This is in the far south west of Ireland.

The island was heavily fortified after the failed French invasion through Bantry Bay in 1796 with the construction of Martello Towers and support buildings. Over the next 100 years this continued, leading to the installation of 6 inch and 9 inch guns in 1899 as part of seven coastal batteries to protect the naval anchorage of Berehaven. There was a garrison of British military personnel on the island until 1938. Ardragh East, where John was born, was in the so-called “Red Zone” that was occupied by the British. This cut the island in two with the British area at the eastern end. To be inside the red line meant that the British army could order civilian evacuation to take place within around 48 hours in the event of military action. Thus, it was a strange place in which to grow up.

The British presence on Bere Island provided construction jobs that attracted people onto the island, however, it was regarded as an occupation and this presence was not welcomed by locals. During the Irish War of Independence, Bere island was used as an internment camp holding IRA members. Three Soldiers from the garrison were killed just after coming off the island in 1921 and five houses on the mainland were burnt down as a reprisal.

The Anglo Irish Treaty of 1921 ended the war of independence and resulted in the creation a year later of the Irish Free State as a self governing dominion within the British Empire. It also allowed Northern Ireland to opt out of the Irish Free State and remain part of the United Kingdom. The British withdrew from most of Ireland, but the garrison at Berehaven was one of three deep water ports which were retained as British Sovereign bases. In 1938 Fort Berehaven was handed back to Ireland.

The British Garrison on Bere Island will have been a prominent feature of the O’Neill family’s life.

Michael and Mary O’Neill had children at Ardragh East as follows: Jeremiah (known as Jerry) b 9 February 1910, Margaret b 1911, Cornelius (known as Con) b 4 February 1912, John Stephen 26 December 1914, Michael b 1916, Donal b 1918, Mary b 1920, Brigid Anne b 25 February 1924 and Vincent 1932.

Michael, Mary and Jerry were living at Ardragh East in the 1911 Census.

The earliest image of John was taken about 1918 with his younger brother Michael outside the family home. He is likely to have attended the National School at Lawrence Cove. Here the boys were taught downstairs and the girls upstairs. Children of all ages were in the same class. The children of the British families at the Barracks had their own military school so the local children did not routinely mix with them.

Some families were involved with the Military Barracks, with some employed there and others selling them produce such as eggs.

By April 1926, only the six younger children were still living at home. John’s father was working as a Painter for a department of the British Government, presumably at the Barracks.

Life in the 1930s on the island was something of a struggle for survival for the Islanders. The biggest issues for the largely agricultural community was ensuring that the potato and hay crops succeeded to ensure that the people and their animals got through the winter. Men, women and children all had their roles to play in these tasks.  

A steamboat and a launch made two trips to Castletownbere on the mainland every day. There were no police on the island and little crime.

In the houses the sleeping quarters were upstairs with the kitchen and another room underneath. The kitchen was the heart of the household where cooking and eating was done. It was also used by the women to make quilts and knit. It was the room where, on long winter’s nights, visitors might come and everyone sat by the fire and told stories and sang songs. The other room was used for various purposes such as a dining room when the priest came or a sick room.

In 1931 John carved out his name on a flagstone near the family house with the date inscribed. It remains there as a lasting visible memory.

John seems to have been one for playing pranks. One story goes as follows. The family kept some hens to provide eggs which his father would go to collect each day. He was puzzled when some of the eggs were nothing more than hollow, weightless shells with nothing inside. This went on for some days and his father decided to stay up one night to see if anything was happening. His patience was rewarded when in the early hours he spotted John creeping out of the house to the coop. There was John taking an egg, putting a tiny pinhole in each end of the egg, sucking out the contents and carefully replacing the now empty egg. It isn’t known whether his father saw the funny side of this prank!

A family story demonstrates the tension between the Barracks on Bere Island and the local population. At some point before 1938 a British soldier, who happened to be a boxing champion, came into one of the two Rerrin pubs on Bere Island where John and his friends were drinking. He shouted out offering (rudely with profanities) to fight any Irishmen who was willing. John stepped forward and the fight began outside. According to John’s brother Jerry, John “…kicked him all the way back to his barracks.”

Two photos of John taken in 1934 when he would be around 19 show him in the uniform of the Irish Volunteer Force. They were taken at the Curragh.

An Irish general election in 1932 resulted in the Fianna Fáil Government of Eamon de Valera coming to power, with the support of the Labour Party, pledging to dismantle the limits placed upon Irish independence by the Anglo Irish Treaty. Drawing on the revered heritage of the largely Republican Irish Volunteers, they created the Volunteer Force on 6 April 1934. This part-time militia was intended to appeal to the party’s republican supporters, and to offer them an alternative to membership of the IRA. Twenty-one former republicans had been drafted into the Irish Army as officers to oversee the recruiting of the Volunteer Force. It was hoped it would have 24,000 volunteers. At a local level the Force was run with the assistance of a civilian committee known as a ‘Sluagh’. These became known as ‘Aiken’s Slugs’ after the minister for defence who appointed them. The minister for industry and commerce saw the Volunteer Force primarily as a tool against illegal paramilitary organisations such as the IRA and the Blueshirts. It would give young men an opportunity for military training where they might otherwise turn to these illegal organisations.

It quickly became clear, however, that the Volunteer Force was not as successful as first hoped. It was dogged by a series of problems and recruiting began to tail off. Between March 1934 and March 1939, 16,146 men joined the Force, but when it was reorganised on 1 March 1939 only 3,731 Volunteers re-enlisted. Once WW2 began, the Force was quickly subsumed into the regular army, playing a key role in providing men for the Coast Watching Service, and was finally replaced by An Forsa Cosanta Áituil (FCA) in 1946.

Ireland remained neutral during WW2 although there were ways in which the country helped the Allies including
extensive co-operation between Allied and Irish intelligence and provision of detailed weather reports for the Atlantic Ocean. However, an estimated 70,000 Irish nationals served in the British military during WW2 of which 3,617 died on active service.

It isn’t known how long John remained in the Volunteer Force.

Three of Michael and Mary’s children went to live in England in the mid 1930s. This was a time of hardship in Ireland. The Government elected in 1932 refused to pay “land annuities” owed to Britain under the 1921 Treaty. The British Government retaliated by imposing punitive tariffs of 20% on Irish agricultural imports and limits on the number of cattle imported. By 1936 the average tariff on Irish imports was 45%. This coincided with the Great Depression of 1929-39. These are the factors which resulted in many deciding to leave Ireland for a life elsewhere.

Jerry initially went to Surrey to work as a navvy on the Chessington railway line. He later moved to London where he married Mary Harnedy in 1941. Sadly, she died in 1943 during the birth of their child, Mary. It seems that his wife’s death combined with having a baby to look after may have caused him to have mental health problems which were worsened by later events. Their daughter was brought up in his brother Con’s household. It is thought Jerry was never called up as he was working at Fords in Dagenham which made a wide range of vehicles for the war effort including universal carriers like the one in which John was to serve. They also made Merlin engines for the RAF.

By September 1939 Con was working as a general labourer and living at 37 Durham Avenue, Hounslow, Middlesex. He also served in WW2, possibly in the North Staffordshire Regiment. It is thought that he was evacuated from Dunkirk and was seriously wounded there, though another version of this family story is that he was wounded after D-Day in Normandy. He married Agnes Winifred Warrington in mid 1942 in the Stoke on Trent District. His grandson believes they may have met when his grandmother was looking after him after he was wounded. In September 1939 Agnes had been living at 118 Hassell Street, Newcastle-Under-Lyme in the household of Elizabeth Warrington (b 12 March 1880) a widowed school cleaner. Agnes (b 8 December 1910) was a Greengrocer’s Shop Assistant. Also present was Wilfred Warrington (b 5 November 1904) who was a Colliery Hewer Below Ground.

John is thought to have initially settled in Surrey but this is not certain. It is thought that there was a young woman on the island who had strong feelings for John who was apparently in tears when he left.

By September 1939, John was living at 30 Swindon Road, Wroughton near Swindon in Wiltshire. He was working as a Steel Erector. The head of the household was Daniel Behan (b 17 January 1896) with his wife, Mary Behan (b 10 April 1910). Also present were two other men: Thomas B Fahey (b14 July 1914) and Thomas C Nabbutt (b 25 July 1920). Thomas Fahey was another steel erector and Thomas Nabbutt was a brick layer’s labourer. An unnamed child was also present. The surnames suggest that most of those in this household were Irish.

By 4 February 1941 John was living at Granways, Gran Lane, Hucclecotes, Gloucester. On that day he wrote the following to his sister Brigid at Ardragh East, Bere Island, Co Cork.

“Dear Brigid,
It is about time I wrote you a few lines to let you know I am OK and to thank you for your nice letter and card at Xmas also Vincent and Mary. I also owe a letter to mother I hope she has not been worrying. Well I do hope ye are all well and had a good Xmas I had a very quiet one here, I only wish I had been home and had turkey etc. well maybe another time Brigid. Did ye have a concert at the Drill Shed this time, plenty of movies and dances I expect, I have not been to a picture for months. I live a bit out of the town so after work it is late to go as the last show starts earlier than normal times on account of the black out etc. Did ye hear from the boys lately I hope Jerry wrote, I dropped him a few lines some time before Xmas but he did not reply. Is Con in the same address still, I did not write to him as I had a notion of leaving here for some time but not so far. Murphy that was with me left here at Xmas I missed him as we were together for over a year, so I am on my own now. How is father and the boys, are they still at the Scallops. I hope they had a good share of snow lately not as bad as last year though. The job is not so good as we lose time in bad weather I wish I was back at the Steel work again it is far better. Do you still go to the convent school Brigid, you should be a great scholar now Vincent should get good tuition from you. How is Margaret and all the friends please remember me to all tell mother and Mary I will write to them soon. How is Jerry Murphy and the mission getting on. Well for the present Brigid, Good Bye and God Bless you all. Write soon again. Did any of you hear from Mrs McKenzie lately.
From Brother John”

Military Service

As far as is known, he had no plans to enlist. However, due to unfortunate alcohol related incidents which led to a court appearance, he was given a choice of enlisting vs receiving a different form of punishment. He therefore chose to enlist on 26 February 1942.

By the time he enlisted, he was living at 54 Cartway, Bridgnorth, Shropshire and was described as a Steel Erector. He stated that he was a British Subject but qualified it by saying he was Irish – FS which stands for Irish Free State. He gave his date of birth as 26 December 1914 and that he was born on Bere Island, Co. Cork. He rather oddly stated that his parents were British subjects when they were, in fact, Irish. This may be because they lived in the British occupied area of Bere Island – or because Ireland was in the United Kingdom when they were born. It could even have been an attempt to ensure they benefited from any payments from the British Government should he die or be wounded. He gave his mother, Mrs Mary O’Neill of Ardragh Road, Bere Island, Co Cork as his next of kin.

He was described as being 5ft 11in tall and weighted 180lbs. He had brown eyes and dark brown hair. It was stated that he was in A1 medical condition. He was a Roman Catholic.

On enlistment, the start of his service was deferred until 1 October 1942 when he was posted as a Private to 25 Primary Training Centre (PTC) of the General Services Corps. It may have been deferred because he was doing useful work as a civilian. The General Service Corps had been formed in February 1942. It was formed as a corps to provide specialists but from 2 July 1942 army recruits were enlisted in the corps for their first six weeks so that their subsequent posting could take account of their skills and the Army’s needs. No 25 PTC had been based at the No 5 Training Battalion Royal Army Ordnance Corps at Racecourse Camp, Chepstow but on 16 October it moved to K Camp Donnington, Shropshire.

On 4 December 1942 he was transferred to the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. He was initially in the 24 Machine Gun Training Centre. This was based at the Depot of the Cheshire Regiment.

On 15 March 1943 he was posted to the 4th Battalion. On 21 June 1943 he was assigned to ‘2’ Company. He held the rank of Fusilier.

The 4th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers had served as a motor cycle battalion in France and Belgium from January to June 1940. After the evacuation from Dunkirk, it served at home until April 1941 when it was transferred to the Reconnaissance Corps and redesignated as 50th Battalion, Reconnaissance Corps in the 50th Division. It spent time in the Mediterranean and Middle East from June 1941 until June 1942 when it returned home and was assigned to the 22nd Armoured Brigade. On 6 June 1942 it became 50th Regiment, Reconnaissance Corps and in March 1943 reverted to the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers as the 4th Battalion. This is the point at which John was posted to the 4thBattalion.

On 25 April 1944, the battalion was suspended. Its personnel formed three independent machine gun companies for the British armoured divisions of the 21st Army Group. The 2nd Independent Machine Gun Company to which John belonged was assigned to the 11th Armoured Division. In June 1942 the 11th Armoured Division had been re-organised so that it was composed of the 29th Armoured Brigade and the 159th Infantry Brigade. The 2nd Independent Machine Gun Company would act as the 159th Brigade fire support group.

By D-Day, the 29th Armoured Brigade consisted of the 23rd Hussars, 2nd Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 3rd Royal Tank Regiment and the 8th Battalion, Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort’s Own). The 159th Infantry Brigade consisted of the 4th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment and the 1st Battalion, Herefordshire Regiment.

Normandy

John’s Service Record shows that he served at home until 12 June 1944. He, along with most of the 11th Armoured Division landed on Juno Beach on 13 June 1944, seven days after D-Day.

It must have been fairly soon after landing in France that he wrote the following letter to his brother, Jerry:

“Dear Jerry
Just a note hoping it finds you in the best of health etc. as it leaves me at present. I hope you enjoyed your holiday. Did you go to Newcastle how did you find everything. I tried to get to see you but we were confined to Barracks since last I seen you. By the way, I am writing this from France. Can’t tell you when I came over however – I am OK and feeling good. I daresay you read all about it in the daily papers you should know more about the fighting than we do here. How is Con doing is he still at the same place. There is nothing for me to write about for now Jerry so I will close this note with my best regards say a prayer for me sometime. Please excuse pencil I expect you will understand.
Good Luck
From John”

The 11th Armoured Division, as part of the VIII Corps, was committed to action on 26 June 1944 as part of Operation Epsom. It entered the Scottish ‘corridor’, opened beforehand by the 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division. Despite mistakes in navigation, which slowed down the 159th Infantry Brigade in Mouen, the 11th managed to seize the bridges at Grainville and Colleville. It then progressed southward to Hill 112 (a dominant feature in the Normandy landscape near the village of Baron) and succeeded in capturing and holding this high ground against increasingly intense German counter-attacks. However, a renewed attack by fresh SS-Panzerdivisions transformed what was intended as a breakthrough into a battle for position. Before the German reinforcements could attack, General Bernard Montgomery ordered a withdrawal from the hilltop.
 
John wrote another letter to Jerry, probably while still in Normandy. He wrote as follows:

“Dear Jerry,
Thanks a lot for your welcome letter received today glad to hear you are OK don’t let the doodlebug get you I was surprised to hear Con was gone overseas I do hope he is OK. There was plenty of his mob here when we landed. I have been with the front don’t worry it’s not so bad just keep dodging shells etc. I’ve had a letter from mother a week back I write her pretty often lately. I also made an allowance …  a week before I came over here she told me she got it OK. You should drop her a line now and then Jerry otherwise it causes her a lot of worry. Glad you went to see Agnes and kids. I don’t suppose you had too much peace with young Mary still such is the way of kids. There is nothing much to write about from here so I’ll have to cut this short write soon again Jerry give my regards to Jack & Mrs O’Leary, for now Good Luck and God Bless. Sincerely yours John”
 
Probably about the same time in early July he wrote again to his sister Brigid as follows:

“Dear Sister,
Just a short note to let you know I am OK and in the best of health hoping all home are the same. I have not had any letter from home since mother’s dated 15th. I have just come from the front line for a rest we are glad of it too just to get away from all the noise good clean up at this rest place. I had a smashing beard on I thought it a pity to shave it off, we are also expecting some form of amusement films or something. Well Mary I am sorry I can’t write much as there is nothing really to say from here in any case I expect you get all the news in the papers such as it is. How is everything going on in the old country these days. I have seen nothing to compare with it yet what I would give to set foot on it right now. Give my best regards to all home friends also all the boys don’t bother with the girls. Good Luck and God Bless you all write soon if you have any snaps of Vince or any of the family send them along if allowed. Your loving brother John.”
 
The 11th Armoured was then moved to the east of Caen to spearhead Operation Goodwood. Planning and execution errors, coupled with strong German defences, led to a tactical British defeat. Goodwood was cancelled on 20 July, with the 11th Armoured being withdrawn from the front line to rest and refit. In only two days of fighting, it had lost 126 tanks.

The 11th Armoured was directed again to the west, to take part in Operation Bluecoat. Beginning on 30 July 1944 it seized Saint-Martin-des-Besaces. The division spotted an intact bridge on the Souleuvre river, which enabled it to drive the Germans back. The division liberated Le Bény-Bocage on 1 August and quickly progressed southward. Although severely weakened at that time, the German army remained ever-present and dangerous. From 5 August, the 11th Armoured worked with the Guards Armoured Division and 15th (Scottish) Infantry Division to push back a counter-attack of the 9th SS Panzer Division.

A photo taken around the time of Operation Bluecoat of a carrier which seems to have got into difficulty while in a convoy with others including a flail tank is thought to include John sitting on the carrier.

After being replaced in VIII Corps by the 3rd Infantry Division, the 11th Armoured was attached to XXX Corps. It progressed eastward hard on the heels of the Germans, who were retreating after the failure of the Mortain counter offensive. The 11th Armoured seized Flers on 17 August.

He again wrote to his sister Brigid on 19 August as follows:

“Dear Sister
A few lines to let you know I am OK and well thank God hoping it finds all home the same. I received mother’s letter two days back also one from Aunt Julia, mother said she was not so well with her leg, I do hope it is not too bad. She certainly has had some bother with it in the past to my knowledge. Things are going well out here Brigid will be good when its all over we have been in the thick of it mother says you read all about it in the press. How is Vince enjoying his holidays they tell me he is quite a man well I hope he is always all right sorry I have no news to tell you so don’t tell me off Write soon again for now all the best to you all friends and neighbours and God Bless you Your loving brother John.”
 
John also wrote another letter to Jerry on 21 August as follows:

“Dear Jerry,
Just a few lines hoping it finds you fit and well as it leaves me at the moment. I wrote you a bit back and I have been wondering if you had received it OK as I should like a line from you just to know you are well. Also mother always asks for you, why not drop her a line. Do you get much bother from the buzz bombs now, they must be a nuisance. How is Jack and Mrs O’Leary also Othe hier? Well Jerry the war should not last very long more don’t you think we have been going some lately, we should turn it in soon, we get in the front line a lot. I hear from home a lot they are all well but mother’s leg is not so well lately. I have not much news to tell you Jerry so excuse this note. I will be anxious to hear from you also hoping to see you soon so for now Good Luck and God Bless Your loving brother John”

John was clearly concerned about Jerry who was struggling following the loss of his wife.

Once the battle for the Falaise gap was over, the 11th Armoured liberated L’Aigle on 23 August and crossed the Seine on 30 August.

After a night move, and an unprecedented advance of 60 miles in one day, the division liberated Amiens on 1 September. Advancing to Lens, then Tournai, the division was then committed to the fight for Antwerp, which it liberated on 4 September.

Belgium

John wrote again to his brother Jerry on 7 September 1944 as follows:

“Dear Jerry,
I received your welcome letter 2 days back and I’m very glad to know you are OK and well which goes for me also at the moment. Agnes told me you had been to her place for a week I daresay you enjoyed the change to a quieter quarter. Mother always inquires about you Jerry you should drop her a line as she only worries. I have not struck up with Con yet but I should imagine he is some distance from me. We have been on the move some for the past few weeks am now in Antwerp we were the first to enter the city and what a welcome we got they simply mobbed us, it was a smashing place quite a lot of English speaking people in it would not mind staying here they’re crazy for English cigs. Well Jerry for now I will say Cheerio and Good Luck Write soon again and God Bless.
Sincerely your Brother John”

This was the last letter which Jerry was to receive from John.

A photo taken in late September 1944 shows John in Antwerp. He is seated wearing his beret at the back on the right of a universal carrier. The Number 64 on the vehicle confirms it belonged to the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers. This is the last known image of John. He is wearing what looks like rosary beads around his neck. The carrier had a heavy Vickers Machine Gun at the front. This was used for support fire.

Two days after it liberated Antwerp, the 11th Division tried to establish a bridgehead over the Albert Canal, but the attempt, due to intense enemy fire, was not successful. After this failure, 11th Armoured had to cross much further to the east, at Beringen.

Holland

The division was not directly committed to Operation Market Garden. Instead, it was tasked with securing the right flank of the operation. Attached to VIII Corps, it began moving on 18 September. Advancing in two columns, it managed to reach the US 101st Airborne Division at Nuenen, while on the 22nd, its engineers established a bridge over the Zuid-Willemsvaart canal. The division could then make an encircling move around Helmond, forcing the Germans to withdraw on 25 September.

John found time to write a letter to a friend, Markie O’Sullivan, on 19 September, although the last page appears to be missing. It reads as follows:

“Dear Markie,
I received your most welcome letter yesterday and boy I read and reread that letter it was as good as somebody coming and telling me the ficking war was over – that’s no kidding – and I want to thank you sincerely yes Pal it brought me back to Bere Island for a little while again and cheered me up no end.

You don’t realise what a letter means especially from one you think a lot of to us fellows, I must admit I have neglected a lot of my best friends although since coming out here I have caught up with a lot of overdue correspondence. I am very pleased & glad to know all you folk are in the very best Markie but then you were always hale and hearty tell your father I certainly will stand him a pint with pleasure but I don’t imagine one would do him a lot of good so let’s hope its more.

So you tell me all the boys are married or heading that way, which kind of leaves me on my own, I am surprised to hear you were getting spliced just can’t imagine you a family man, so your trips to the Cross have not been in vain, and you have made a good choice as Mary was a nice kid when I knew her. Ask her if she remembers when you and I tried to fiddle her for a pack of smokes with a dud coin. You also must have signed a truce with Jerry by now, yes Markie them were the days. By the way while I have a chance and am on the subject I want to wish you both the very best of luck and everything that goes with it the best I can do at the moment and also would you please ask Bernie Harrington to wish the same to Lizzie when they write her again yes I thought a lot of her and often wondered how she was doing.”

The Cross refers to the cross roads in Ardragh where Markie’s future wife lived. There was a dancing platform outside their small shop. Her father had been on the opposite side of the political divide to Markie’s family hence the reference to a truce. The Lizzie Harrington referred to later emigrated to the USA. Was it possible that she was the young lady who had strong feelings for John when he left Ireland.

By the night of 26 September, the Division was in the St Anthonis area with 159 Brigade Battalions stationed both there and around Oploo. They remained in this vicinity until 29 September.

By this time, Operation Market Garden had failed to capture the bridge at Arnhem. The Allies were left in a narrow corridor through the Netherlands. It was decided that it was necessary to widen this corridor by attempting to push the enemy back to the east of the River Maas. It was initially the 7th US Armoured Division which was tasked with working from the north to clear the enemy from Overloon, Venray and Venlo.

On 29 September 159 Brigade of the 11th Armoured Division was therefore ordered to hand over to the Americans and move back to Gemert. They remained there until 7 October. By that time, the American attempt to capture Overloon had failed and they handed over to the British.

By the night of 7 October, 159 Brigade HQ was back in St Anthonis. It was grouped with the 4 KSLI, 1 Herefords, 2 Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and one battery of 75 Anti Tank Regiment. The 1 Herefords were in woods north of Overloon and just south east of Stevensbeek. The 4 KSLI were in Mullem, west of Vortum and the 2 Fife and Forfarshire Yeomanry were in Sambeeksche Heide. These last two areas are to the north east of Overloon, along a railway line running north south to the east of and parallel to the River Maas.

The 2nd Independent Machine Gun Company of the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers (RNF 2 IMGC) to which John belonged were with them. Their headquarters was just north of St Anthonis. The 1st and 3rd Platoons were under the command of the Company itself, with the 3rd Platoon based just east of St Anthonis and the 1st Platoon based in the woods south east of Stevensbeek. The 2nd Platoon was under the command of the 1st Herefords and located with them. The 4th Platoon was under the command of the 4 KSLI and located with them at Mullem.

Here the Brigade remained until 15 October supported by the 2 IMGC. The Brigade carried out aggressive patrolling, often taking prisoners from whom intelligence could be gleaned. They also faced shelling and mortaring.

Meanwhile, on 12 October, the 3rd Division began the attack on Overloon. This started with medium bombers bombing areas behind enemy lines and continued with an Artillery barrage followed by the main attack. Although 159 Brigade was not involved, it seems that RNF 2 IMGC may have played a part in supporting this attack, though this may have been limited to the initial movement as all the platoons remained in their initial locations. By nightfall the main east / west road from Overloon had been reached with some troops in Overloon and in the woods to the west and slightly south. The following day, the 3rd Division continued their advance and by the end of the day had two Brigades in the wood south of Overloon. Their attack continued on 14 October but by 15 October there was a pause while they considered how they were to cross the Molenbeek – a stream proving an obstacle between Overloon and Venray which was flooded and where bridges had been destroyed.

The 4 KSLI and 1 Herefords had continued with their aggressive patrolling while this attack was in progress. They experienced less shelling and mortaring as the 3rd Division succeeded.

On 15 October, 159 Brigade was given the task of clearing an area to the east of the 3rd Division in the area south of Schafferden with artillery and air support in order to give them elbow room for the attack on Venray. Schafferden lies just north east of Overloon on the road to Vierlingsbeek.

At 0900 the Tactical Brigade HQ moved to an area on the road between Stevensbeek and Overloon which was the location of the HQ of the 1 Herefords.

The first phase of the operation was an attack in the morning by 4 KSLI from Schaartven which was a mile to the east of Overloon directed down a road towards the village of Smakt which lay further to the east of Overloon and adjacent to the railway line running north/south and parallel to the River Maas. First, at 0630 hrs, the 4 KSLI had to move from their base at Mullem to the start point. The War Diary states that the route for the 4 KSLI was not an easy one as they had to pass through Overloon where heavy traffic had turned the roads and tracks into a very bad state. However, a later source suggests that they were never closer than a mile from Overloon and did not pass through it.

One troop of the Fife and Forfar Yeomanry and one section of Machine Gunners from the Royal Northumberland Fusiliers were in support of each of A and C companies which were the two forward companies. The role of the RNF 2 IMGC Gunners was to provide sustained suppressive fire using Vickers machine guns and 4.2-inch mortars to support the infantry’s advance. The company was fully mechanised, utilizing Universal Carriers and 15-cwt trucks to move their heavy equipment.

The operation began at 1030 with a rolling Artillery Barrage which moved at the rate of 100 yards in 2 minutes as well as the option to call for concentrations of artillery. The barrage was to dwell on the opening line for 10 minutes. Unfortunately, some guns fired short, dropping in the area of the starting line and causing some casualties. The barrage eventually moved on but the momentum of the attack was halted until the offending guns ceased. The attack proceeded and the barrage was called off with concentrations being fired instead.

The ground over which the Battalion moved was a large sandy waste, scarred with dunes and impassable for all vehicles except tanks and carriers (with difficulty). The Commanding Officer’s Scout Car was towed by the Fife and Forfar Regimental Commander’s tank all the way in order to maintain communications with the rear radio link. C Coy on the left met with some opposition but dealt with it speedily. It was well supported by tanks and machine guns. They then pushed on to the limit of exploitation which was the railway near Smakt without further incident. A Coy on the right met opposition further on and dealt with some of it. B Company were then moved to the right of A Coy to deal with this. The Battalion consolidated with C and A Companies forward, B Company on the right and D Company on the left rear. Bn HQ was sited in D Coy area. D Coy had experienced some difficulty from mines on the main road which ran down their left boundary. As soon as the enemy appreciated the changed situation he commenced to shell and mortar the area. A and B Companies which were on the right were subjected to heavy ‘stonking’ from 105 mms, 88 mms, mortars and Nebelwerfer. There was quite an amount of airburst fired. The action cost the 4th Battalion KSLI 6 men killed, 29 wounded and resulted in a number of prisoners of war being taken.

The War Diary of the RNF 2 IMGC seems to manage to record this operation very briefly but wrongly records it as happening on 13th rather than 15th October, just as it wrongly recorded the initial attack on Overloon as 11th rather than 12th October. It states that 4 Platoon advanced with the 4 KSLI clearing woods east of Overloon. They were engaged in close fighting at 70-80 yds with the leading infantry coy. They ended the day just north west of Schaartven with the 4 KSLI further to the east.

It was on this day that John O’Neill was killed. The family believe that Con met up during the war with someone involved in Operation Aintree who said that John may have been killed by friendly fire. It may well be that he was killed when the Artillery Barrage which started the operation that day fell short, though this has not been proved conclusively.

He was initially buried in Stevensbeek which lies north of Overloon and south of St Anthonis. This was a few miles north west of where John was probably killed. There was a temporary cemetery opposite a Regimental Aid Post situated in a primary school. Although John’s record says he was killed in action, it may be that he was initially wounded and transported back to the RAP but did not survive the journey. The first burials had taken place in the temporary cemetery on the previous day. The RAP was next door to a Monastery and on 15 October, a Catholic army chaplain held a Holy Mass for the men buried the day before in the chapel of the Monastery. Nuns at the nearby Maria Regina Nunnery tended the graves. A total of 17 men were eventually buried in the cemetery. They had died between 13 October 1944 and 26 November 1944. Thirteen were with 185 Brigade, two with the Royal Artillery, one from the Middlesex Regiment and just John from the 4 RNF. All were re-interred at Overloon.

Aftermath

At the time of his death, John had served 2 years and 233 days (including the 216 days when his service had been deferred). Of this, 121 days had been in North West Europe. He was awarded the 1939/45 Star, France & Germany Star and War Medal 1939/45.
 
The Staffordshire Sentinel of 1 November 1944 announced John’s death as follows:
 “Many Newcastle friends will learn with regret of the death in action overseas of Fusilier John O’Neill, son of Mr and Mrs M O’Neill of County Cork, Eire. His brother Private Cornelius O’Neill is serving overseas and his sister-in-law, Mrs C O’Neill, lives at 118 Hassell Street Newcastle”

When his father was told of his son’s death, he was so upset he spent four days alone in the fields below the family home for hours on end.

On 23 March 1945 John’s personal effects were sent to his mother at Ardragh East, Bere Island. These consisted of a wallet, a note wallet, a leather purse, a nail file in a case, a chrome wrist watch, wrist strap metal, 3 religious medallions, a Rosary with cross and medallion, another cross, his identity disc, a personal letter, 3 coins and 2 guilders.

Michael O’Neill died on 6 February 1959 and his wife Mary just a couple of weeks later on 24 February 1959.

Con’s wounding followed by John’s death added to Jerry’s stress. After the war, he married Mary Donoghue from Coornishal, near Leap, County Cork in Becontree (Dagenham, Essex). He and Mary had four children. Under an Irish naming convention, normally the first boy would be named after his paternal grandfather, but Jerry chose to name him John after his brother. Jerry died on 22 May 1983.

Con and Agnes O’Neill had two children as well as bringing up Jerry’s daughter. Con died in 1980 in Newcastle under Lyme. Agnes Winifred O’Neill died in 1998 in the Stoke on Trent district. Their son and grandson later served in the Royal Navy. Margaret settled in Ballinakilla and married Patrick Kelly, son of Timothy Kelly and Johanna Lynch, Ballydonegan (Allihies Parish). Donal worked in the care and maintenance of the Military Barracks and lived in Ardragh. Mary married Michael McCarthy of Cloughland, son of Michael McCarthy and Nora Hurley, Bantry and had six children. Michael and Vince lived at home. Vince died in 2021. Brigid married Thomas McNamara and lived in Ballincollig and had eight children.

Jerry O’Neill’s son, named John O’Neill, visited the cemetery at Overloon in August 1994 with his family to mark the 50th anniversary of John’s passing later that year. Brigid’s son, Michael McNamara, had also visited John’s grave some years earlier.

John’s namesake has expressed his appreciation of the kindness and dedication which the Dutch people display to the servicemen who gave their lives for the liberation of their country, especially in the light of the suffering which they endured during the war.

FindMyPast and Ancestry for Military records, census data, English birth, marriage and death records
Commonwealth War Graves Commission records
Irish National Archives for the 1926 Census
Information on the family from the Annals of Beara by Riobard O’Dwyer from Malc Sutton
Heritage Cork Website – Bere Island – articles on Life in the 1930s by Jim “Sonny” Murphy and Inside the Red Line by Joe Cahill
History Ireland Website for information on the Volunteer Force
The Irish Story Website for information on the Economic war 1932-38 by John Dorney
Wikipedia for information on Bere Island, Anglo Irish Treaty, Irish neutrality in WW2, General Service Corps, 4th Bn Royal Northumberland Fusiliers, 11th Armoured Division, 185th Infantry Division,
Gloucester Citizen 12 August 1941
Service Record for John O’Neill from the National Archives via his nephew, John O’Neill
Researching the Lives and Records of WW2 Soldiers – website – information on No 25 PTC
Vickers MG Collection and Research Association website for information on No 24 MGTC
Traces of War Website for War Diaries of 159 Brigade, 185 Brigade, 15/19 The King’s Royal Hussars, 3 Monmouth Regiment, 2 Fife and Forfar Yeomanry, 4 KSLI, 2 KSLI
Normandy  War Guide Website for War Diaries of 3 Royal Tank Regt,75th Anti Tank Regiment,
Staffordshire Sentinel of 1 Nov 1944
Piet Peters and Hugo Levels for access to the RNF 2 Independent Machine Gun Company War Diary
Photographs of John O’Neill and Family, Letters of John O’Neill to his brother Jerry and family research thanks to his nephew, John O’Neill
Letters written by John to his sister Brigid from her daughter, Sarah Bermingham
Letter from John to Markie O’Sullivan courtesy of his son, Christopher O’Sullivan
Assistance from Andy O’Neill, Con O’Neill’s grandson
After Antwerp, the long haul to victory : the part played by 4th Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in the overthrow of the Third Reich September 1944 to May 1945 by Ned Thorburn
Antony Beevor’s D-Day: The Battle for Normandy – possible photo of John
Photo of John on cover of Dan Harvey’s “A Bloody Victory, The Irish at War’s End: Europe 1945”
Photographs of the temporary graves at Stevensbeek and information on the RAP and temporary cemetery from Henk Pouwels.
Assistance from members of the Bere Island Facebook Group – and assistance from Annemarie Healy in finding this group

Research Elaine Gathercole

  
Herbert William Crouch was killed in action on 7 October 1944 in the vicinity of St Anthonis. He was aged 38 at the time. He was a Lance Sergeant in the Royal Armoured Corps, Inns of Court Regiment (Service No. 7930069). He was initially buried just east of St Anthonis at the premises of M. Jansen at Boxmeerseweg A 62 St Anthonis, Oploo and re-interred on 21 May 1947 in grave II. D. 12. in the Overloon CWG Cemetery. The inscription on his grave reads: “A life so nobly given has gone but is not forgotten.”

Family background

Herbert William Crouch (who was known to family and friends as Bob), was the son of Herbert Crouch and Emily White who had married in Brentford district, Middlesex in 1906. Herbert had been born on 25 June 1878 in Hanwell and Emily on 29 May 1876 in Southall Green. They had seven children, all in Hanwell as follows: Mabel Emily 1906, Herbert William 10 June 1907, Mary Louisa Minnie 1909, Sidney James 1910, Ethel M 1912, Percy O 1914 and Leonard A 7 July 1917.  However, Ethel died in 1913.
 
In 1911 Herbert and Emily were living at 59 St Dunstan’s Road, Hanwell with their first four children which included Bob. Herbert was a labourer who was building horses’ stables. Also present was Herbert’s widowed mother, Mary Elizabeth Crouch, who had been born in Oxford in 1842.
 
In 1921, the family were at the same address with their six surviving children. Herbert was now working as a temporary hand for the Superintendent of Central London District Schools. Their eldest daughter, Mabel, was working as a General Domestic Servant. Also present was Mary Pratt, a 73 year old boarder.
 
Bob married Mabel Florence Bloomfield in October 1931 in Hanwell Union Church. The West Middlesex Gazette described their wedding as follows:
“Crouch – Bloomfield
In Hanwell Union Church on Saturday the Rev JT Stevens officiated at the wedding of Mr Herbert William Crouch, eldest son of Mr and Mrs Crouch, of 59 St Dunstan’s Road, Hanwell and Miss Mabel Florence Bloomfield, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Bloomfield, of 25 Lawn Gardens, Hanwell. Mr Southcombe played appropriate organ pieces for the ceremony.
 
The bride in white crepe de chine with lace coatee and necklet of pearls held a shower bouquet of red roses. She was given away by her father, Mr Sidney Crouch brother of the bridegroom performing the duties of best man.
 
Miss Gwen Bloomfield (sister) and Miss Ivy Hickey acting as bridesmaids, wore green crepe de chine and lace, and crystal necklets, the gifts of the bridegroom, holding bouquets of cream roses. Blue silk, with hat to match and navy crepe de chine, trimmed with beige, with a navy hat, were worn by the bridegroom’s and the bride’s mothers respectively.
 
A reception was held in Hanwell Library, and a happy couple left to spend the honeymoon at West Malling, Kent, after which they will live at 106 Beresford Avenue, Hanwell”.
 
Mabel was the daughter of William Chapman Bloomfield and Charlotte Florence Birkin who had married in 1905 in the Lewisham district of London. William was born on 9 December 1880 in Lee in Kent while Charlotte was born on 22 June 1879 in Kensington, London. They had three children as follows, all in Hanwell: Ernest Walter 1 February 1906, Mabel Florence 1 March 1907 and Gwendoline Emma 1908.
 
In 1911 William and Charlotte were living at 25 Lawn Gardens, Hanwell with Mabel and Gwendoline. William was working at a Licenced Conductor for a tram company. Their son, Ernest, was living with his grandparents, Chapman James and Emma Mary Bloomfield at 134 Fernbrook Road, Lewisham and his aunt, Carrie Emma Bloomfield. Chapman was a Greengrocer born in 1849 in Lee, Kent, Emma was born in 1851 in London and Carrie was born in 1879 in Lee and was an assistant in a fancy shop. In 1921, William and Charlotte were still living at 25 Lawn Gardens with all three of their children. William was still working as Tram Conductor for London United Tramways Co.
 
On 20 April 1938 Mabel’s sister Gwen, still of 25 Lawn Gardens, aged 30 and working as a nurse travelled from Liverpool to St John’s Newfoundland, Canada
 
In September 1939, Bob and Mabel were living at 65 Daryngton Drive, Ealing. Bob was working as a Printer. They seem to have been living with Lewis G and Moira E Ashby who had both been born in 1906. Lewis was a Storekeeper. There too were Mary E Ashby aged 7 and David F Ashby aged 3. Another unnamed child was present – but it is not thought that Mabel and Bob had any children.
 
At this time, Bob’s parents were still living in St Dunstan’s Road, but only their son Leonard was with them. Herbert was retired but available for work while Leonard was working as a Joiner Woodworker.
 
Mabel’s parents were living on their own, still at 25 Lawn Gardens and William was now working as a Trolley Bus Conductor.
 
An article in the Middlesex County Times of 28 October 1944 after Bob’s death gives more information about his life before the war:
“Lived to Help Others
Official notification has been received by Mrs H.W. Crouch of 17 Briarbank Road, Ealing, of the death of her husband – killed in action in Holland.
 
Sergt. Herbert W. Crouch was 38 years of age and the eldest son of Mrs Crouch and the late Mr H. Crouch, of 59 St Dunstan’s Road, Hanwell. ‘Bob’ Crouch, for as such he was known to all his friends, was educated at St. Mark’s School, Hanwell. At 12 years of age he became a member of the 16th Thames Valley Company Boys’ Brigade, which was attached to Union Church, Hanwell. This proved to be the beginning of a life lived chiefly for helping others, for he served the ‘16th’ for 10 years, with a keenness and loyalty that has seldom been equalled in the history of the company, and when, having held every non-commissioned rank, he finally accepted a commission, he filled his new position with dignity and great usefulness for several years.
 
At the time of his ‘call up’ for military service, nearly four years ago, he was showing great promise as outdoor representative from Messrs. Farmer and Sons Ltd of 295 Edgware Road, W2, a firm of printers and stationers with whom he had been apprenticed upon leaving school.
 
Ever a firm advocate of physical fitness, he was himself a first class athlete, and gained special prowess at gymnastics, football, high jump, etc. He was a ‘good sportsman’ in the truest sense.
 
He interested himself in associations of mutual benefit and was for several years a delegate to the London and Provincial Yearly Dividing Friendly Society, West London District, Jersey Lodge 42
 
Previous to the outbreak of war, he was a keen supporter of the movement for ‘worldwide moral re-armament’. He was for 20 years a member of the Union Church, Hanwell and held during that period several responsible positions i.e. assistant Sunday School Superintendent, Bible Class Leader, steward. Football Club secretary etc.
 
‘Sincerity’ was the keyword of all his service and his gay and buoyant spirit provided him with a capacity for helping and encouraging all those whose lives he touched.
 
Mrs Crouch wishes to express her very deep appreciation of the many tokens of sympathy she has received.
 
A memorial service will be held at the Union. Church at 6:30 PM tomorrow.”

Military career

It seems that Bob had enlisted in the autumn of 1940.
 
Between the wars, the Inns of Court Regiment consisted of one squadron of cavalry and two companies of infantry. The two infantry companies were converted to light tank cavalry squadrons in 1937 and two years later formed the Royal Armoured Corps Wing, Sandhurst. In 1939, the mounted squadron joined a cavalry training regiment in Edinburgh, but this was disbanded in 1940. From 23 January 1941 until 15 January 1943, the regiment was part of the 9th Armoured Division in Great Britain. From 1943, it was under the direct command of I Corps, the assault formation of 21 Army Group and later led the advance of 11th Armoured Division.
 
During the campaign in Northwest Europe of 1944–45, the Inns of Court, organised as an armoured car regiment, was the reconnaissance asset of I Corps. It was organised in four squadrons. Of these, C Squadron
landed on Juno Beach with the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division with the aim of advancing inland at speed to destroy the main crossings from Thury-Harcourt to a point five kilometres south of Caen and preparing four crossings on the Odon River for demolition. The other three squadrons did not arrive at Juno Beach until 30 June.
 
The Regiment played its part in the Battle for Normandy, involved in reconnaissance and other activities. On 28 August they crossed the Seine and ended the month around Amiens. Then began the advance up through northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands. The individual squadrons had different roles. Given what each was doing at the time of Herbert’s death, it is likely that he was in B Squadron.
 
Generally, the action in the first week of September was a push towards Antwerp. They then moved eastward, carrying out recces on various parts of the Albert Canal and patrolling it to prevent enemy movement to the south of it. By 19 September, D Squadron had moved into the Netherlands with the others following in the next few days. The move northwards continued between Eindhoven and Asten and Someren and then on to Helmond.
 
By the last few days of the month, the regiment had moved over to the west bank of the River Maas between Cuijk and Vierlingsbeek. Here they carried out patrols, often encountering enemy. However, by early October A and C Squadrons were back further south, taking it in turns to patrol between Deurne, Meijel and Liessel or to be in reserve. B Squadron continued to patrol the west bank of the Maas between Beugen, Boxmeer and Sambeek and D Squadron were in this same area but were in reserve on 7 October when Herbert was killed. It is therefore most likely that Herbert was in B Squadron.
 
By day Armoured Car patrols were maintained in each village with observation posts in church towers, windmills and convents. By night these patrols were withdrawn behind the railway line about 1,000 yards back from the river and the villages became “No Man’s Land” in which both sides patrolled, the Germans coming over the river by boat to steal food or, as stated in the War Diary, “ to renew amorous connections”.  Spasmodic shelling of the villages was carried out by the Germans, but the Regiment retaliated using their superiority in artillery.  These were the circumstances on the day Herbert was killed, probably somewhere near Boxmeer. This fits with where he was buried, slightly further back towards St Anthonis.

Aftermath

It seems that Bob’s father was spared hearing of his son’s death as he himself died on 30 July 1944, as announced in the Middlesex County Times of 5 August 1944:
“Crouch – On July 30, 1944, at 59, St Dunstan’s Road, Hanwell, W.7., Herbert, beloved husband of Emily Crouch, passed peacefully away in his 66th year.”
 
A major obituary to Bob immediately following his death has already been shown. However, a significant number of family members paid tributes to him in the Middlesex County Times of 6 October 1945 as follows:
 
“Crouch – In everlasting memory of ‘Bob,’ H.W. Crouch (Sergt. R.A.C.) Who was killed in action on October 7, 1944, liberating the people of Antwerp.
He is one of many who have given their all, that we may have another chance to build a new world. O valiant heart.
His loving wife, Mabel.
 
Crouch – In proud and loving memory of my dear son and brother, Sergt. H.W. (Bob) Crouch, killed in action in Holland, October 7, 1944.
His smiling face and loving ways
Are pleasant to recall.
He always had a cheerful smile
And died beloved by all
From mum, brothers and sisters and Auntie Min.
 
Crouch – In loving memory of our dear brother, Sergt. Herbert (Bob) Crouch, killed in action in Holland, October 7, 1944.
Beautiful memories are all we have left.
We loved him too dearly e’er to forget
From Sid, Win and Janet.
 
Crouch – In loving memory of our dear brother, Sergt.  H.W. (Bob) Crouch, killed in action in Holland, October 7, 1944.
A loving brother, true and kind
He was to all in heart and mind
From Louie and Bill.
 
Crouch – In proud and loving memory of Bob, killed in action, Holland, October 7th, 1944.
All the joy you found in life, in such great measure you shared with those around you. Where you went was love, happiness, friendly speech and the laughter of little children.
Mum and Dad Bloomfield and Gwen.”
 
Bob’s mother, Emily Crouch, died in 1964 in Ealing and his wife, Mabel F Crouch, died in 1996 in Watford.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records; British Newspaper Archive
Wikipedia – Inns of Court Regiment
War Diary for Inns of Court Regiment from Traces of War
West Middlesex Gazette 3 October 1931
Middlesex County Times 5 August 1944
Middlesex County Times 28 October 1944
Middlesex County Times 6 October 1945

Research Elaine Gathercole, Tracey van Oeffelen

Charles Ernest Riches was killed on 14 October 1944 at Overloon. He was aged 20 and a Private in the 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment (Service No. 5892153). He was initially buried at the Vogelsangs Farm near Overloon and re-interred in grave number I. B. 9. at the Commonwealth War Grave Commission Cemetery at Overloon on 15 July 1946.

Family background

Charles Ernest Riches was the son of Pymer James Riches and Catherine McPherson Riches (nee Studdy).
 
Pymer James Riches had been born in the Medway district of Kent on 16 June 1869. He was the son of James Riches and Ann P Riches (nee Pymer). James had been born in 1829/30  and Ann in 1830/1, both in Wareham, Norfolk.
 
In 1871, James and Ann were living at Dale End, Chatham, Medway, Kent. James was working as a Telephone Line Man. With them were three children: Ann Lavinia born 1865 in St Giles, Cambridgeshire, William Foster born 1868 in Histon, Cambridgeshire and Pymer James himself who had been born in Chatham in 1869. This suggests that the family moved from Histon to Chatham between 1868 and 1869.
 
By 1881, the family had moved to 3, Warwick Place, Daventry, Northamptonshire. James was working as a Telegraph Clerk and so was in the Civil Service. The same three children were present plus a fourth, Arthur, who was born in Daventry in 1875. At this time Annie was working as a Boot Fitter while William was a Boot Rivetter.
 
In 1891 they were living at 40, Warwick Street, Daventry. James was now described as a Telegraph Pensioner. With them were children William and Arthur, working respectively as a Shoe Rivetter and Shoe Clicker, and a granddaughter, Emma Riches born in 1885 in Daventry. Annie and Pymer James were no longer at home. It isn’t known where Pymer James Riches was at this time.
 
Catherine McPherson Studdy had been born on 13 December 1877. She was the daughter of William Studdy and Elizabeth (or Isabella) Studdy (nee Guthrie). William had been born in 1837 in Walker (or Long Benton), Northumberland (now a part of Newcastle). Elizabeth had been born in 1836/7 in Belford, Northumberland. They had married in1861 in Newcastle.
 
In 1871 William and Isabella (as she was referred to then) were living at Campbell Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. William was an Ale Porter Agent and Isabella was described as an Ale Porter Agent’s wife. With them were four children as follows: James William b 1863, Peter Robert b 1865, Mary Elizabeth b 1867 and Hugh McPherson born 1871. The first three were born in the Elswick area of Newcastle while Hugh was born in the St John’s area of Newcastle. Also present was a servant, Elizabeth Ann Chantler born 1853 in the St John’s area.
 
In 1881, William and Elizabeth were living at 8, Tindal Street, Westgate, Newcastle upon Tyne. William was now a Draper’s Assistant but was unemployed at the time. James, Peter, Mary and Hugh were still with them. However, two more children were present: Margaret A (Meggie) b 1874 and Catherine herself born in 1877  – both born in Newcastle. James was working as a Butcher and Peter as a Warehouseman Draper.
 
William Studdy died in Gateshead, County Durham in 1889.
 
By 1891, Elizabeth was therefore widowed and living at 105, Marian Street, Gateshead, Co. Durham. With her were her four younger children: Mary, Hugh, Margaret and Catherine. Hugh was working as a Provisions Warehouseman.
 
In 1895, Pymer James Riches married Catherine McPherson Studdy in the Chester le Street district of County Durham.
 
In 1901 Catherine Riches was living at 40, Saltwell Road, Gateshead, Co. Durham in the household of her widowed mother Elizabeth Studdy. Elizabeth’s son, Hugh McPherson Studdy, and a granddaughter Catherine McPherson Studdy born in Newcastle in 1893. Hugh was working as a General Cartman and was still single. With Catherine were her first two children: James William b 1897 and Mary Elizabeth b 1899, both in Newcastle (though Mary may actually have been born in Gateshead). Again, it isn’t known where Pymer was at this time.
 
By 1911, Pymer (now known as James) and Catherine were living at Redheugh Hall, Rose Street, Gateshead, Co. Durham. Pymer was working as a Horse Keeper to Colliery Bank. Their children, James  and Mary, were still with them as were four more children as follows: Sarah Allison b 1902, Meggie Ann b 1905, Catherine McPherson b 1907 and Elizabeth Fraser b 1909 – all born in Gateshead. James William was working as a Token  Lad (above ground).
 
Redheugh Hall had been part of the Redheugh estate which had existed since the 13th Century. The Hall was a late 17thCentury House. The setting of the house was ruined when the Newcastle and Carlisle Railway was built between the house and River Tyne. In 1835 the house was leased to a glass manufacturer from Newcastle. The railway was moved in 1839 but the estate was put up for sale in 1850 as building plots for villas. It was only sold after 1871 when the Redheugh Bridge opened, increasing access to the site from Newcastle. Much of the land was built on, but the Hall stood empty. In 1912 it was a storehouse, with hay held in the eighteenth century drawing room. Then it was sold to the Redheugh Colliery Company. It would be in this latter period when the Riches family lived in part of it.
 
Between 1917 and 1919 Pymer and Catherine had moved to Daventry in Northamptonshire. In June 1921 they were living at Drayton Grange. Pymer was now working as a Gardener for AW Priestly. With them were Sarah, Catherine and Elizabeth plus four more children: Edith Louise b 1911, Hilda Margaret b 1913, Dorothy b 1917 and Peter Robert b 1919. Peter was born in Daventry and the others in Gateshead. Their two eldest children and Meggie Ann were no longer at home. Another child, Ralph Allison Riches, had been born in Gateshead in 1915. In June 1921, he was a patient in the General Hospital, Billing Road, Northampton.
 
Charles Ernest Riches was born in Daventry on 13 January 1924. He was therefore the youngest of Pymer and Catherine’s twelve children
 
In September 1939, Pymer and Catherine were living at 10 Williams Terrace, Daventry. Pymer was now working as a retired Baker/Confectioner and Catherine was a Laundress. With them was Charles and an undisclosed record suggesting the presence of another child. This was likely to have been Hugh McPherson Bishop (known as “Mac”) who was the son of Pymer and Catherine’s daughter, Mary Elizabeth Riches. She had married Victor Bishop in 1916 and had two children, one of whom was Mac who was born in 1920. It seems her husband had abandoned her and she died in 1927, leaving her mother to bring up Mac. Charles was working as a Baker and Confectioner.

Military Career

The 2nd Battalion of the Lincolnshire Regiment served with the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and returned from Dunkirk after the battles of France and Belgium in 1940. Charles will have been too young to have been in the Army at that stage. The Battalion then spent the next four years training in various parts of the United Kingdom before taking part in the D-Day landings in June 1944.
 
It is thought that Charles joined up in the Army around May 1943.
 
The Battalion landed in France on 6 June where they spent the night just south of Lion sur Mer. They engaged the enemy in areas north of Caen during June and early July.
 
It is known from a Casualty Record that Charles was wounded while in Normandy, but the exact date is not recorded. A total of 36 men from the same Battalion were similarly recorded as wounded on the same list. Those from other regiments on those lists were shown as wounded between 25 June and 13 July.
 
The Battalion was involved in Operation Charnwood on 8 to 9 July. This was intended to capture Caen. While it was a tactical success for the Allies, they lost 3,817 troops during the operation. It is likely that it was in this battle that Charles was wounded. The Battalion War Diary records that 113 Other Ranks were wounded and 23 killed on 8 July.
 
The Battalion moved on to fight in Operation Goodwood where a further 211 Other Ranks were wounded and 18 killed on 20 July. This is another possibility for when Charles was wounded. It is not known how severe his injury was or when he was able to rejoin his unit. The Battalion continued to fight in Normandy during August and early September before moving rapidly on into Belgium on 16 September and then Deurne in the Netherlands on 25 September. This was part of the Allied push towards Arnhem in Operation Market Garden which ultimately failed to take the bridge at Arnhem.
 
On 9 October 1944 the Battalion found itself in Haps, just south of Nijmegen and North of Overloon. It was to take part in Operation Aintree in the coming days with the aim of taking Overloon to the south and then Venray before finally eliminating a German bridgehead on the River Maas near Venlo. They were ordered to move south to St Anthonis on the 11th, but this was postponed to the 12th due to bad weather. The move was completed on the 12th and they then moved slightly further west on the 13th, though with one man killed and 3 wounded.
 
On the 14th, the plan was for B Company to be guided through a wood held by the Royal Ulster Rifles to its front edge from where they would carry out a recce to check if a stream was passable and if the north eastern corner of a wood to the south was held by the enemy. However, the guides were late and the move through the wood was slower than expected, so the recce did not take place. At 7.30am the Company began to advance south out of the wood under a 10 minute concentration of artillery fire. However, before the Company had advanced 100yds the enemy opened fire from a track about another 100 yds ahead. The advance continued and the track cleared of the enemy. This yielded about 10 prisoners and a few dead. As soon as the prisoners were clear, enemy defensive fire came down on the Company and four or five machine guns opened up from the left flank. 12 Platoon were ordered to advance under covering fire from 10 Platoon but in so doing lost about half their number. The Company Commander issued an order to retreat back to the Royal Ulster Rifles’ position. By this point one Lieutenant and 34 other ranks had been killed or wounded. It was decided to launch an attack at 1530 hours with D and A companies in the lead. The enemy had been seen moving in the area of the stream in front of the wood. It was thought that the enemy holding the Battalion objective were probably a Company strong. Immediately the attacking force came into the open they were subjected to intense artillery and mortar fire but they pressed steadily on to reach their objective. During this action the Battalion again suffered very heavy casualties. This was the day on which Charles Ernest Riches was killed in action.

Aftermath

His death was reported in the Newcastle Evening News of 3 November 1944. He was described as Private Charles E Riches, 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, youngest son of Mr and Prs P J Riches, of 10 William Terrace, Daventry (late of Redheugh Hall, Gateshead).

It was also reported with his photograph in the Northampton Mercury  of 3 November 1944. It is thought to read as follows: “Official information has been received that Pte Charles Ernest Riches youngest son of Mr and Mrs Riches of William Terrace, Daventry has been killed in action in North West Europe. Pte.  Riches who was 20 joined the army over a year and a half ago before which he was a ?? in the Daventry Civil Defence Service. He attended Daventry Abbey School after which he was employed in Daventry Coal Supply. A boxer, Pte. Riches was a member of Daventry Boys’ Club. A brother L.A.C Peter Robert Riches is serving in the RAF.”

As seen in this article, Charles’ brother also served in WW2. So too did their sister Dorothy’s husband. He served in the Northampton Yeomanry alongside Charles and Peter’s nephew Mac who had been brought up with them almost as a brother as they were of similar ages.

Pymer J Riches died in Daventry in early 1945, just a few months after his son.

Catherine M Riches may have died in 1951 in Meriden Warwickshire.

From FindMyPast website: Civil and Parish Birth, Marriage and Death Records; England Census and 1939 Register Records; Electoral Rolls; Military Records
Lincolnshire Regiment War Diaries via Traces of War Website and the Normandy War Guide Website
Wikipedia – information on the Lincolnshire Regiment and Operation Charnwood.
Newcastle Evening Chronicle of 3 Nov 1944
Photo and information from the Northampton Mercury 3 Nov 1944
Assistance from Beverley Whittaker, Charles’ niece.

Research Elaine Gathercole