Gold Beach ...
The British landing area code named Gold Beach was more than 8km (5 miles) wide and included the coastal towns of La Rivière and Le Hamel. On the western end of the beach was the small port of Arromanches and slightly west of that port was the town of Longues-sur-Mer. The assault sectors at Gold Beach were designated (from west to east) Item, Jig (comprising sections Green and Red), and King (also consisting of two sections named Green and Red). The assault was to be carried out by the British 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division.
The
objectives of the 50th Division were to cut the Caen-Bayeux highway, take the
small port of Arromanches, link up with the Americans from Omaha Beach to the
west at Port-en-Bessin, and then with the Canadians from Juno Beach to the
east.
The first
assault wave was to land at 07.25 hours, one hour later than the scheduled
landings on the American beaches owing to the direction of the tide, which
moved from west to east and brought high water later to the British beach. But
the wind on the morning of D-Day came directly from the northwest, piling up
the water rapidly. The outer obstacles that the Germans had installed with the intent to cause damage and destroy invading landing craft, were therefore under water before British
demolition teams could get to them. Moreover, the demolition personnel came
under fire from the beach, therefore failing to clear the obstacles. First landing
crafts to come ashore carried tanks, of which 20 struck mines.
Fortunately for the British, there was no German armour on the beach and the infantry resistance was ineffective. By the evening of June 6, the 50th Division had landed 25000 men, penetrated 10km (6 miles) inland, hooked up with the Canadians from Juno Beach on the left and reached the heights above Port-en-Bessin. It had not cut the Caen-Bayeux highway or linked up with the Americans from Omaha Beach, but it had made an impressive start. The British suffered 400 casualties while securing their beachhead.
Gold Beach 6th June 1944 ...
Mulberry Harbour
at Arromanches-les-Bains (Port Winston) ...
The
Mulberry harbours were two temporary portable harbours developed by the British
Admiralty and War Office to facilitate the rapid offloading of cargo onto
beaches after the first waves of the invasion. Within hours of the Allies
creating beachheads, sections of the two prefabricated harbours were towed
across the English Channel from southern England and placed in position off
Omaha Beach (Mulberry "A") and Gold Beach (Mulberry "B"),
along with old ships to be sunk as breakwaters.
On the 19 June, both Mulberry A and B suffered severe damage in the worst storm to hit the Normandy coast in 40 years, Mulberry A at Omaha Beach was deemed irreparable, while Mulberry B at Gold Beach was more protected, although damaged by the storm it remained usable and came to be known as Port Winston.
The Mulberry Harbour on Gold Beach June 1944 ...
From the Imperial War Museum, a video about the Mulberry Harbour, the need for it from lessons learned during the Canadian raid on Dieppe on 19th August 1942. Click on the image or the link below ~
The British Normandy Memorial ...
The
memorial records the names of all those under British command who lost their
lives in Normandy between 6 June and 31 August 1944. On the columns are the
names of more than 22442, the majority are British soldiers, sailors, marines
and airmen who lost their lives on D-Day and in the weeks that followed. There
are also many from other nations around the world who fought under British
command or who were attached to the British armed forces, such as from Ireland,
France, The Netherlands, Poland, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the
USA. Losses of the British Merchant Navy are also remembered, as are civilian
losses, particularly those in France.
The site was officially opened on 6 June 2021 by the then Prince of Wales as Royal Patron of the Normandy Memorial Trust.
The following video produced by the Normandy Memorial Trust describes the brief history of the memorial ~ “Six years in six minutes: this is the story of the making of the British Normandy Memorial.” ~ Click on the image or the link ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdA2Sdo9WEk
Stanley Hollis VC, the only recipient of a Victoria Cross for actions on D-Day ...
In 1939 Stanley Hollis enlisted in the British Territorial Army and was later transferred to the 6th
Battalion, Green Howards and went over to France as part of the British
Expeditionary Force (BEF) in 1940, where he served as the commanding officer's
dispatch rider. In June 1940, Stanley was part of Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the BEF from
Dunkirk. He then fought from El Alamein to Tunis as part of the British Eighth
Army in the North African campaign. Later he was made company sergeant major shortly
before the invasion of Sicily in 1943, where he was wounded at the battle of
Primosole Bridge.
After being
part of the initial D-Day landings on Gold Beach, Stanley went with his company
commander to investigate two German pillbox which had been by-passed. He lay on
top of the pillbox and dropped a grenade inside, before jumping down and
entering the fortification, where he took the surviving occupants prisoner. He
then saw a slit trench leading away to a second pillbox in the garden of the
house. He advanced down it alone and captured the fortification and all those
in it. In all he captured 30 Germans single-handed.
Later that morning at 11.00am, he was involved in a second action which contributed to his Victoria Cross award. By this time, Stanley was acting commander of 16 Platoon, whose officer having been killed earlier in action. Having spotted a German field gun hidden in a hedge he decided to try and destroy it. Taking a PIAT (the British equivalent of a bazooka) he and two Bren machine-gunners, crawled forwards through a large rhubarb patch to get close enough to the artillery piece to try a PIAT shot. Unfortunately, he missed and the German gun located about 100 yards distant, turned and fired on them, miraculously firing high over their heads. Stanley shouted to the men with him to get back and retreated to cover behind a farm building. Unfortunately, the men either had not heard him, or were too afraid to run.
Feeling responsible to the men, he decided to go and help them. He took a Bren gun
and advanced into the open, firing from the hip, to attract the attention of
the German field gun team. This enabled the two Bren gunners to run back from
the rhubarb patch to cover. Astoundingly, even though he was standing in plain
sight of the enemy Stanley was not hit.
In
September 1944 he was wounded in the leg and evacuated to England, where he was
decorated by King George VI on 10 October 1944.
His hut at Gold Beach ...
His medals ...
 |
| Victoria Cross, 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star 1940-43, Clasp: 8th Army, Italy Star 1943-45, France and Germany Star 1944-45, Defence Medal 1939-45’ War Medal 1939-45 with Oakleaf and The Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal 1953 |
His Victoria Cross citation published in the London Gazette ...
In Normandy
on 6th June, 1944, during the assault on the beaches and the Mont Fleury
Battery, C.S.M. Hollis's Company Commander noticed that two of the pill-boxes
had been by-passed, and went with C.S.M. Hollis to see that they were clear.
When they were 20 yards from the pillbox, a machine-gun opened fire from the
slit and C.S.M. Hollis instantly rushed straight at the pillbox, firing his
Sten gun. He jumped on top of the pillbox, re-charged his magazine, threw a
grenade in through the door and fired his Sten gun into it, killing two Germans
and taking the remainder prisoner. He then cleared several Germans from a
neighbouring trench. By his action, he undoubtedly saved his Company from being
fired on heavily from the rear and enabled them to open the main beach exit.
Later the
same day, in the village of Crepon, the Company encountered a field gun and
crew armed with Spandaus at 100 yards range. C.S.M. Hollis was put in command
of a party to cover an attack on the gun, but the movement was held up. Seeing
this, C.S.M. Hollis pushed right forward to engage the gun with a P.I.A.T. from
a house at 50 yards range. He was observed by a sniper who fired and grazed his
right cheek, and at the same moment the gun swung round and fired into the
house. To avoid the fallen masonry C.S.M. Hollis moved his party to an
alternative position. Two of the enemy gun crew had by this time been killed
and the gun was destroyed shortly afterwards. He later found that two of his
men had stayed behind in the house and immediately volunteered to get them out.
In full view of the enemy who were continually firing at him, he went forward
alone using a Bren gun to distract their attention from the other men. Under
cover of his diversion, the two men were able to get back.
Wherever fighting was heaviest, C.S.M. Hollis appeared and in the course of a magnificent day's work, he displayed the utmost gallantry and on two separate occasions his courage and initiative prevented the enemy from holding up the advance at critical stages. It was largely through his heroism and resource that the Company's objectives were gained and casualties were not heavier, and by his own bravery he saved the lives of many of his men. ~
After the
war, Stanley worked for a time as a sandblaster in a steelwork. Later he became
a partner in a motor repair business in Darlington, before becoming a ship's
engineer from 1950 to 1955. He next trained as a publican, and ran the "Albion" public house in Market Square, North Ormesby ~ the pub's name was eventually changed
to "The Green Howard". After the pub was demolished in 1970, he moved to become
the tenant of the "Holywell View" public house at Liverton Mines near Loftus. He
died on 8 February 1972.
The Royal Engineer Memorial ...
The memorial which overlooks Gold Beach is dedicated to the Royal Engineers (engineering arm of the British Army) who led the construction of the Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches-les-Bains, whilst the Royal Navy assisted in its coordination, planning, deployment and assembly.
This
memorial is of personal significance to me, my relative Hugh Wright (first
cousin once removed) was a Royal Engineer who came ashore at Gold Beach. He
fought with the 49th Infantry Division (The Polar Bears), from the
beaches of Normandy through France and onto Belgium, where he was killed in
Wuustwezel near the Dutch border on 21 October 1944 (D+137). At the time of his
death, he was involved in the construction of bridges over the Belgian and
Dutch canal systems.
You can
read more about Hugh and his military service at the following blogs, click on
the images or links below …
https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2017/10/hugh-wright.html
https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/euro-2024-wuustwezel.html
https://southshoretidewatch.blogspot.com/2024/06/euro-2024-my-return-to-leopoldsburg-war.html
Longues-sur-Mer Battery ...
The German
artillery battery at Longues-sur-Mer was not the most powerful in Normandy, but
was perfectly located to oppose the landings on D-Day. Its guns were positioned
between Omaha and Gold Beaches, resulting in a duel with the offshore Allied
fleet before it was eventually silenced at sunset.
The battery built during the first half of 1944 was part of the German defensive Atlantic
Wall coastal fortifications. It consisted of four 150mm guns in concrete
bunkers and one 120mm gun. By May 1944 the battery was operational, but the
firing command post built on the edge of the cliff, did not yet have all the
equipment necessary for an effective fire against naval targets.
The Longues-sur-Mer Battery after its capture, June 1944 ...
Today, the
site is one of the best-preserved in France, the only one where you can
still see some of the original cannon, capable at the time of firing shells
weighing 45kg at a distance of 22km. The view from the firing command post dug
into the cliff offers a vast panorama over the Bay of the Seine.
Ryes British Cemetery ...
Ryes War Cemetery is not far inland from Gold Beach at Arromanches, the first burials were made there just two days after the landings. The cemetery contains 652 Commonwealth burials (630 British, 21 Canadian, and one Australian), in addition there are also one Polish casualty and 335 German graves.
The German plot within Ryes War Cemetery ...
The following two graves are only a few feet apart, separating the German from the Commonwealth plots ...
Two brothers, Private Joseph Casson (Durham Light Infantry) and Marine Robert Casson (45 Commando) are buried beside each other in the cemetery.
Marine
Robert Casson ...
Service
Number EX/3236
Royal
Marines R.M. Commando (Attached to H.Q. 4 S.S. Bde)
Died 6 June
1944, aged 25
Son of David and Mary Ellen Casson, of Whitehaven, Cumberland.
ON WHOSE
SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY R.I.P. THEY DIED FOR OUR FREEDOM
Private Joseph
Casson ...
Service
Number 14674155
Durham
Light Infantry 9th Bn
Died 27
June 1944, aged 18
Son of David and Mary Ellen Casson, of Whitehaven, Cumberland.
ON WHOSE
SOUL SWEET JESUS HAVE MERCY R.I.P. THEY DIED FOR OUR FREEDOM
The following about Robert and Joseph Casson were written and made available by their niece Mary Teresa Holland …
Robert
Casson (EX/3236) ~ was called up on Valentine’s Day 1940 whilst working at the
Rowntree’s factory in York, reporting to Royal Marine (RM) Reserve Depot,
Lympstone, Devon, near Exmouth on the River Exe.
He was
first posted 101st R.M. Brigade HQ as a cook. In February 1941 he was
temporarily attached to 5th Battalion HQE but in March he re-joined 101st R.M.
Brigade HQ. During October 1942 he was promoted twice, first to Lance Corporal
and then Corporal. On 15th September 1943 he reverts to the rank of Marine
volunteering to train as a Commando. On the 23rd of October, he joins 46 RM
Commando and attends the Commando Training Depot at Achnacarry, Scotland. On
completion of his training, he is assigned to HQ Staff 4th Special Service
Brigade.
From the
1-4 June 1944, he was stationed in Southampton, receiving his briefing in C19
Camp. Embarking from HMS Tormentor, Warsash on the river Hamble, near
Southampton on 5 June 1944 with LSIs Serials 1519 and 1520 to take part in the
D-Day landings, and was to land at St. Aubin-sur-Mer, code named Nan Red, Juno
Beach, being part of 4th Special Service Brigade supporting the Canadian
troops. However, Robert never made it to shore as he was shot in the neck and
died instantly as his landing craft approached Juno Beach.
He was
initially buried at sea, but after the storm of 19 June 1944 his body was
washed up on the beach, temporarily buried by the sea wall at St.
Aubin-sur-Mer, then subsequently exhumed on 9th August 1944 and moved to Ryes
War Cemetery, Bazenville and laid to rest in Plot 1, Row F, Grave 5.
His mother,
Mrs Mary Ellen Casson received confirmation of his and younger brother Joseph’s
death, in letters dated 17th and 18th July 1944, but learning later that his
body had been washed up on the beach, she exchanged correspondence with the
authorities and requested that her sons be buried alongside each other.
On 13th
November 1944, Marine Robert Casson was exhumed again and transferred to his
final resting place in Ryes War Cemetery, Plot 4, Row B, Grave 2 (his fourth
burial), to be laid next to his younger brother, Private Joseph Casson aged of
the 9th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, who had been exhumed and transferred
from Jérusalem War Cemetery, Chouain and now lies in Plot 4, Row B, Grave 1.
A letter
from the War Office to Mrs Casson dated 1 December 1944 from the Director of
Graves Registration Enquiries, confirmed that her two sons are interred side by
side at Ryes War Cemetery. Robert has had three headstones over his grave at
Ryes, the first incorrectly attributed him to 45 RM Commando, this was replaced
with 46 RM Commando in 2018, but this was also incorrect, it transpired that 46
RM Commando did not actually land until 7th June 1944. Further investigations
established that 4th Special Service Brigade was his unit, his final headstone
being erected in February 2021.
Joseph
Casson (14674155) ~ was deemed to have been a man enlisted in the Territorial
Army for the duration of the Emergency under the provisions of the National
Services Acts 1939 to 1941 and was working at the Ladysmith Coal Mine,
Whitehaven, Cumberland, (Cumbria) when he was formally enlisted on 18 November
1943.
Following
his basic training he was initially assigned to the Kings Own Yorkshire Light
Infantry (KOYLI) on 30 December 1943, eventually being transferred to the 9th
Battalion, Durham Light Infantry (D.L.I.) on 28 March 1944. The 9th Battalion,
D.L.I. moved to Nightingale Wood Camp, near Southampton, on 2 June 1944 prior
to embarking landing craft on 5th June, sailing down the Solent at 8:00pm and
reaching open water at 8:30pm as part of the 50th Division.
The 50th
Division was designated to land on Gold Beach, in company with the 8th Armoured
Brigade. The 151st Brigade, including the 9th Battalion D.L.I., was part of the
second wave to land, after the beach was secure and push inland. The Brigade
was to move southwest from Gold Beach toward Route Nationale 13. The 151st
Brigade came ashore as planned and got to the outskirts of Bayeux.
During the
following week, the Brigade advanced past Bayeux and on 14th June, the Brigade
fought in Operation “Perch” against the Panzer Lehr Division. The Brigade made
the initial assault on the villages of Lingèvres and Les Verrières, which were
captured by the 9th Battalion D.L.I.. Later that day the Brigade and the 231st
Brigade were cut off south of the villages, formed a "brigade box"
and repulsed heavy German counterattacks before withdrawing. The 9th Battalion
D.L.I. went on to enter Tilly-sur-Seulles on 20 June, Joseph is recorded as
being wounded on 21st June, moved to No 3 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station) near
Jérusalem but died from his wounds on 27 June 1944. Following a request to the
authorities from his mother, Mrs. Mary Ellen Casson, he was exhumed and
transferred from Jérusalem War Cemetery, Chouain to Ryes War Cemetery,
Bazenville, on 13th November 1944, to finally be laid to rest and lies in Plot
4, Row B, Grave 1, alongside his brother, Royal Marine Commando, Robert Casson
of HQ, 4th Special Service Brigade.
In
acknowledgement of the return of his personal effects, Joseph’s mother, Mrs. Mary Ellen Casson, despite her grief, even took the time to add “Thank You” to
the document.
The following is a short video about Robert and Joseph Casson, narrated by their niece Mary Teresa Holland, click on the image or the link below ...
 |
| At the British Normandy Memorial |
Poppies growing in the wheat fields beside Ryes War Cemetery ...
Throughout the many research projects that find their way to me, I have found all to often that buried beneath each gravestone, and behind the names inscribed on memorials to missing, there are similar stories of experiences and encounters to tell, unfortunately, many will never be told, which is an enormous loss to us all.
