Hi All, I came across this footage on the British Pathe site which shows the grave of Lance Corporal J. (Jack Edward) Fisher (14402887) Royal Norfolk Regiment. A Google search on "J. Fisher 14402887" brought me to a photograph of his present day marker on the The War Graves Photographic Project site at this page. Does anyone know where the 1st Battalion, the Royal Norfolks were on the 8th July? Thanks, Pat
A first look suggests the 1st Battalion was with the 3rd Infantry Division in Normandy. Might be easier to find them by looking at that division and it seems he died during Operation Charnwood.
Hello there, Indeed 1/Royal Norfolks were heading south towards Caen on that day, in the Bieville/Beuville region. There is a memorial to the regiment just south of "Hillman". I was there when they unveiled it alongside a friend of mine who was in 17th Field Co, RE (as part of 185 Brigade). He was trying to find the fate of a Sgt Coppin from the Norfolks. Anyway, we were talking to one of the Royal Norfolks vets for a while. Alas I didn't get his name, but he related a grim story about how there was this blonde kid in the battalion, always smiling and laughing. They were advancing on 8th July under heavy mortar fire, which getting ever more accurate forced them to take cover. As they got up to proceed, he looked over the hedge to see the blonde kid laying there, still smiling. He said something like "What have you got to smile about?" then realised that it was only the head. The farm up the track from the memorial was known as "Norfolk House". I have some more stuff on the battalion stashed away somewhere which I'll try and dig out. Cheers, Sean
Thanks Guys, I see from this Wiki page that the 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolks made up ⅓ of the 185th Infantry Brigade, which appears to be a customised force from the 3rd Infantry Division as Niels states. I had not realised that a major problem on Sword Beach was the small size of the available landing area and with the immediate presence of the 21st Panzer Division, the planned capture of Caen so early in the invasion seems a bit optimistic to say the least. However, the benefit of hindsight is always overpowering Sean, when you get a chance, can you post a locator chart for 'Norfolk House' farm? I would also be interested to know if there is any confirmed footage of the Regiment in Normandy. Thanks, Pat
Hello there, First, a book recommendation...... Thank God and the Infantry Here are the locations of the monument and "Norfolk House": Here's the monument via Streetview: Finally the view south towards Caen with the CHU (hospital) on the northern outskirts of the city plainly visible on the horizon. They spent a month here. Pat, "optimistic" is the right word. Would have been OK had it not been for one thing..... Germans. Cheers, Sean
Thanks Sean, Just ordered the book. This part of Normandy must have been an Allied tanker's nightmare. German 88s could stand off well out of range of return fire and just pick the advancing armour off one vehicle at a time. Regards, Pat