Research members of 43 Wessex Reconnaissance Regiment, C Squadron
The Regiment’s C squadron was a front-line fighting reconnaissance unit. The role of C squadron was to probe ahead of Wessex infantry and the allied front lines. When enemy was encounted, they would actively engage unless resistance proved too strong. The other vital activity was to report back to HQ squadron the position and strength of enemy. This information was quickly relayed to Division, and where necessary, also used to accurately concentrate additional fire from Royal Artilliary or allied air-power, in close coordination with Recce patrols.
In support and expansion of the Normandy invasion beach-head, the entire 43rd Reconnaissance regiment – excepting B squadron – sailed from Tilbury, London on the transport ship MT-72 Derrycunihy. It’s understood that C squadron was mainly within No4 and No5 holds. On the morning of 24th June 1944, having anchored off Sword beach for two days due to bad weather, as the engines finally started, the Derrycunihy was blown in two by an Oyster mine dropped by the Luftwaffe overnight. A more detailed account can be read here.
As a consequence of this disaster, the regiment suffered huge losses of 186 men, and a similar number wounded. The day delivered the greatest casualty record of any regiment. For A squadron this also meant very heavy losses. Two officers, Lt J. O. Charlton of A Squadron, and Lt W. D. Cammel, of C Squadron, were wounded when a shell struck the “Cap Tourain”, one of the rescue ships.
After survivors were rescued, and over the following days, all salvagable vehicles and equipment were recovered to Lion-sur-Mer. A detailed account of what happened next, and throughout the regiment’s European campaign, is available in the 1944-1945 Operations pages.
A few keys facts about C squadron include,
- Major Faircloth commanded the squadron in Normandy
- Major Hogben was in command until his transfer to B squadron command from Dec 6 44, Major Binden F Blood, took over command of C Squadron on the same date.
- Capt John Day became (2IC) C squadorn from Dec 6 44
- Major Faircloth left the regiment in Jan 1945
- Capt Badham was second-in-command (2IC) from … to …
- C Squadron’s Sergeant Major (SSM) was Walt Critchley
- Known crews
- Major Binden Blood (commander), L Cpl Roy Merritt (gunner / operator), Sgt Bert Loveridge (driver). Also Bert Crane crewed with them when Roy was unwell.
- Sjt Darky Millen (commander), Tpr Bert Crane (gunner / operator), Tpr Stan Bailey (driver). Normally, they operated as lead car in a patrol.
- Lt Caulkin / Sgt R Whiting (commander), Cpl Fred Styance (driver). All KIA 30 April 1945.
- Sjt T R Camp (commander), Tpr John Young (gunner / operator), Tpr “Paddy” Podeschwa (driver)
- Sjt H G W Drake (commander of F118541, Humber Heavy, Chamian), Tpr Norman Clapton, (driver), Frank Bland (gunner / operator) was wounded 24 Jun 44, and replaced by Tpr Bill Clayton.