Stanley's Story.
Born 1 June 1919, Stanley was the son George Thomas and Mary West, in 1939 the family lived at 142 Stewart Street. Educated at Crewe Secondary School, he was a member of the choir at St. Michaels Church, Coppenhall. Prior to the war Stanley was employed by the LMS as a railway clerk assistant at Basford Hall.
Stanley was serving with 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment ( 2 Glosters) and in May 1944 they were ordered to Camp B7 in the New Forest to prepare for the invasion of France in June 1944. 2 Glosters were part of 56 Brigade together with 2 South Wales Borderers and 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment.
56 Brigade Formation badge was selected in recognition that the 3 constituent regiments fought in the Egyptian Campaign of 1801
D-Day and beyond ( taken from the War Diary of the 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment)
May 1944
Battalion moved to camp B7 in the New Forest for preparation. All leave cancelled and camp sealed for security purposes.
Camp B7 was located in the W sector
Jun 3rd
Battalion left Camp B7 in transport under control of Movement Control. Refreshments were given on the way and Embarkation took place at Lymington. The Battalion was loaded on 3 LCIs
LCI's sailed to Southampton Docks.
LCI Landing craft
4/5 th June
Troops were allowed to disembark on quayside for recreation and meals.
5th June
1930
LCI's sailed from Southampton Docks to join convoy to France without incident.
6th June D DAY
Crossing to Normandy
Crossing to the French coast went well in a rough sea. Some ranks were sea sick but this passed off before the time for landing. and everyone was in good spirits and keen to get on with the job. 2 Glosters were reserve Battalion of the 56th Infantry Brigade acting as reserve Brigade to 50th Division
1158
Three LCI's touched down on the Normandy coast at Red King sector on Gold Beach in the area Hable de Huertot. Each group quickly cleared King Red beach area and began to advance along coast rd towards Battalion concentration area at Buhot. Some mortar fire was encountered along this road and pockets of enemy resistance were still holding out in area Buhot and high ground to SW of this village. Buhot was finally cleared by marine Commandos and the Bn. arrived at concentration area as arranged.
Gold Beach
2 Glosters heading away from Gold Beach
1607
Bn. HQ arrived concentration area and Rifle Coys arrived complete except for two casualties
1735
Ryes was reported clear of enemy by Right assault Bde (231 Bde)
1900
2 Glosters concentration was completed.
1940
Bde decided to firm base for the night, 2 Glosters were still reserve Battalion and advanced Southwards.
Prisoners taken 31. Casualties 4 O.Rs wounded.
7th June D plus 1
0026
2 Glosters reached concentration area and dug in. Extensive patrolling was carried out. 1 troop of 10.5 cm guns was captured intact.2 horses and a cart captured with the guns were used by the battalion to carry kit. Enemy snipers were active but no casualties were inflicted on own troops .
0830
Bn. moved Southwards with object of clearing Bayeux with 2 Essex and was held up on outskirts of town while 2 Essex cleared area of railway station .
Advance continued to Bayeux
1220
Bn. entered Bayeux. Civilian population very pleased to see British troops . Fighting continued throughout the afternoon and the high ground SW of town was gained. Bn. occupied and dug in. Recce patrols were sent out to contact enemy
Prisoners taken 9. Casualties 1 Offr wounded 2 O.Rs wounded.
8th June D plus 2
The task of 56 Bde was now to contact the Americans on our
right flank, and 2 SWB were given the task of clearing Sully West of Bayeux . 2 Glosters altered positions slightly and covered the western approaches to Bayeux. 2 Essex remained covering Southern approaches. Carrier Platoon patrolled well
South and returned intact with valuable info that no enemy were contacted for approx. 6 to 8 miles South of Bayeux.
1135
First German aircraft seen over Bayeux.
1830
Bn. HQ was established in school buildings. Prisoners taken 12. Cas. 1 OR missing believed killed. 1 OR wounded.
9th June D plus 3
Contact with US 26 RCT was established
Positions were handed over to 2 Devons and Bn moved to same conc area as for 7 Jun. Prisoners taken 50. Casualties 1 OR killed.
10th June D plus 4
56 Inf Bde became under command of 7 Armd Div, working with 22 Armd Bde. Plan was to adv Southwards towards Tilly Sur-Suelles,
2 Glosters were adv Bn with 2 Essex Right and 2 SWB in Res.
The adv behind the armour began along Bayeux – Tilly Rd.
Progress was very slow owing to close country, which aided the small enemy pockets of resistance, who were engaged by the fwd elements of 7 Armd Div who destroyed a Panzer IV tank
Bn. was given the task of clearing woods area Jerusulem
Enemy opposition was slight and the woods were cleared successfully, several prisoners being taken.
Bn. occupied firm base this area night 10/11 Jun.. PW taken 4. Active patrolling carried out during the night B Coy moved fwd to occupy posns area St Bazire
.
11th June D plus 5
Recce patrols est the fact that the enemy were in Buceels,
Marcel Wood and Pont De La Guilette. Plans were made for 2 Glosters to clear the village of Buceels in order that the tanks could adv. The op was delayed owing to the difficulty of getting tanks across the river.
Assault finally went in and the high ground South of village reached.
1715
Bn then pushed on to assault Tilly. This attack went in on two Coy front, right A Coy - left C Coy. B and D mopping up. Artillery support was provided by 86 Fd Regt. Fighting within the village became very close and confused, street and
house fighting developed. Enemy snipers were everywhere, incl the Church and Infirmary which was later burnt out.
the Posn became so obscure that it was decided to withdraw out of the village and to occupy the high ground to the North ,
the intention being to pass 131 Inf Bde through our posns at first light 12 Jun to complete the occupying of Tilly.
2200-2230
Bn. withdrew out of Tilly inflicting casualties on the enemy and
occupied the high ground area. Following incidents occurred during the attack and withdrawal which warrant recording:-
One of the Platoon Comds of A Coy who captured an enemy Despatch Rider on the road leading South into Tilly, rode pillion behind the German and escorted him back to Bn. HQ. The M/C then became the property of A Bn. Despatch Rider whose bike had been run over by a carrier. During the withdrawal the left fwd Platoon Commander of A Coy Lt. J.O. Levine (Canloan) was cut off with one Bren gp of his platoon and two Bren gps of another platoon while covering the withdrawal of the Company. The total number was 14 men, one of whom was wounded. They lay concealed and returned to our lines seven hours afterwards bringing with them the wounded man. An unarmed private of A Coy who got lost in the wood and cut off during the withdrawal was confronted with a German armed with a crowbar. The German hit him and broke his nose. He got away from the German and hid in the wood. Later rejoining his Coy at 0730 hrs 12 Jun 44.
14 Pl. C Coy were nearly surrounded during the fighting in Tilly, the enemy counter attacked again and again with grenades but the
Platoon remained intact and inflicted many cas before withdrawing. The Germans holding Tilly were identified as elements Panzer Lehr Div. PW taken 23. Cas Lt. J.B. Evans killed. 3 O.Rs killed. Lt.R.H. Bentley wounded. 21 O.Rs wounded.5 O.Rs. missing ( including Stanley West)
Battalion positions were strengthened by one Coy 2 SWB which provided patrols. No further incidents occurred during the night.
Stanley West was listed as Missing believed wounded initially and his wife and family weren’t notified of his death until early in 1945. According to a Trooper with the Royal Armoured Corps Stanley’s body was discovered in a field when Tilly was retaken by the Allies in late June 1944.
Crewe Chronicle 3/3/45
Stanley's grave
Stanley is also commemorated on the Men of Newton Abbott War Memorial.
Memorial at St Michaels Coppenhall
Stanley was serving with 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment ( 2 Glosters) and in May 1944 they were ordered to Camp B7 in the New Forest to prepare for the invasion of France in June 1944. 2 Glosters were part of 56 Brigade together with 2 South Wales Borderers and 2nd Battalion Essex Regiment.
56 Brigade Formation badge was selected in recognition that the 3 constituent regiments fought in the Egyptian Campaign of 1801
D-Day and beyond ( taken from the War Diary of the 2nd Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment)
May 1944
Battalion moved to camp B7 in the New Forest for preparation. All leave cancelled and camp sealed for security purposes.
Camp B7 was located in the W sector
Jun 3rd
Battalion left Camp B7 in transport under control of Movement Control. Refreshments were given on the way and Embarkation took place at Lymington. The Battalion was loaded on 3 LCIs
LCI's sailed to Southampton Docks.
LCI Landing craft
4/5 th June
Troops were allowed to disembark on quayside for recreation and meals.
5th June
1930
LCI's sailed from Southampton Docks to join convoy to France without incident.
6th June D DAY
Crossing to Normandy
Crossing to the French coast went well in a rough sea. Some ranks were sea sick but this passed off before the time for landing. and everyone was in good spirits and keen to get on with the job. 2 Glosters were reserve Battalion of the 56th Infantry Brigade acting as reserve Brigade to 50th Division
1158
Three LCI's touched down on the Normandy coast at Red King sector on Gold Beach in the area Hable de Huertot. Each group quickly cleared King Red beach area and began to advance along coast rd towards Battalion concentration area at Buhot. Some mortar fire was encountered along this road and pockets of enemy resistance were still holding out in area Buhot and high ground to SW of this village. Buhot was finally cleared by marine Commandos and the Bn. arrived at concentration area as arranged.
Gold Beach
2 Glosters heading away from Gold Beach
1607
Bn. HQ arrived concentration area and Rifle Coys arrived complete except for two casualties
1735
Ryes was reported clear of enemy by Right assault Bde (231 Bde)
1900
2 Glosters concentration was completed.
1940
Bde decided to firm base for the night, 2 Glosters were still reserve Battalion and advanced Southwards.
Prisoners taken 31. Casualties 4 O.Rs wounded.
7th June D plus 1
0026
2 Glosters reached concentration area and dug in. Extensive patrolling was carried out. 1 troop of 10.5 cm guns was captured intact.2 horses and a cart captured with the guns were used by the battalion to carry kit. Enemy snipers were active but no casualties were inflicted on own troops .
0830
Bn. moved Southwards with object of clearing Bayeux with 2 Essex and was held up on outskirts of town while 2 Essex cleared area of railway station .
Advance continued to Bayeux
1220
Bn. entered Bayeux. Civilian population very pleased to see British troops . Fighting continued throughout the afternoon and the high ground SW of town was gained. Bn. occupied and dug in. Recce patrols were sent out to contact enemy
Prisoners taken 9. Casualties 1 Offr wounded 2 O.Rs wounded.
8th June D plus 2
The task of 56 Bde was now to contact the Americans on our
right flank, and 2 SWB were given the task of clearing Sully West of Bayeux . 2 Glosters altered positions slightly and covered the western approaches to Bayeux. 2 Essex remained covering Southern approaches. Carrier Platoon patrolled well
South and returned intact with valuable info that no enemy were contacted for approx. 6 to 8 miles South of Bayeux.
1135
First German aircraft seen over Bayeux.
1830
Bn. HQ was established in school buildings. Prisoners taken 12. Cas. 1 OR missing believed killed. 1 OR wounded.
9th June D plus 3
Contact with US 26 RCT was established
Positions were handed over to 2 Devons and Bn moved to same conc area as for 7 Jun. Prisoners taken 50. Casualties 1 OR killed.
10th June D plus 4
56 Inf Bde became under command of 7 Armd Div, working with 22 Armd Bde. Plan was to adv Southwards towards Tilly Sur-Suelles,
2 Glosters were adv Bn with 2 Essex Right and 2 SWB in Res.
The adv behind the armour began along Bayeux – Tilly Rd.
Progress was very slow owing to close country, which aided the small enemy pockets of resistance, who were engaged by the fwd elements of 7 Armd Div who destroyed a Panzer IV tank
Bn. was given the task of clearing woods area Jerusulem
Enemy opposition was slight and the woods were cleared successfully, several prisoners being taken.
Bn. occupied firm base this area night 10/11 Jun.. PW taken 4. Active patrolling carried out during the night B Coy moved fwd to occupy posns area St Bazire
.
11th June D plus 5
Recce patrols est the fact that the enemy were in Buceels,
Marcel Wood and Pont De La Guilette. Plans were made for 2 Glosters to clear the village of Buceels in order that the tanks could adv. The op was delayed owing to the difficulty of getting tanks across the river.
Assault finally went in and the high ground South of village reached.
1715
Bn then pushed on to assault Tilly. This attack went in on two Coy front, right A Coy - left C Coy. B and D mopping up. Artillery support was provided by 86 Fd Regt. Fighting within the village became very close and confused, street and
house fighting developed. Enemy snipers were everywhere, incl the Church and Infirmary which was later burnt out.
the Posn became so obscure that it was decided to withdraw out of the village and to occupy the high ground to the North ,
the intention being to pass 131 Inf Bde through our posns at first light 12 Jun to complete the occupying of Tilly.
2200-2230
Bn. withdrew out of Tilly inflicting casualties on the enemy and
occupied the high ground area. Following incidents occurred during the attack and withdrawal which warrant recording:-
One of the Platoon Comds of A Coy who captured an enemy Despatch Rider on the road leading South into Tilly, rode pillion behind the German and escorted him back to Bn. HQ. The M/C then became the property of A Bn. Despatch Rider whose bike had been run over by a carrier. During the withdrawal the left fwd Platoon Commander of A Coy Lt. J.O. Levine (Canloan) was cut off with one Bren gp of his platoon and two Bren gps of another platoon while covering the withdrawal of the Company. The total number was 14 men, one of whom was wounded. They lay concealed and returned to our lines seven hours afterwards bringing with them the wounded man. An unarmed private of A Coy who got lost in the wood and cut off during the withdrawal was confronted with a German armed with a crowbar. The German hit him and broke his nose. He got away from the German and hid in the wood. Later rejoining his Coy at 0730 hrs 12 Jun 44.
14 Pl. C Coy were nearly surrounded during the fighting in Tilly, the enemy counter attacked again and again with grenades but the
Platoon remained intact and inflicted many cas before withdrawing. The Germans holding Tilly were identified as elements Panzer Lehr Div. PW taken 23. Cas Lt. J.B. Evans killed. 3 O.Rs killed. Lt.R.H. Bentley wounded. 21 O.Rs wounded.5 O.Rs. missing ( including Stanley West)
Battalion positions were strengthened by one Coy 2 SWB which provided patrols. No further incidents occurred during the night.
Stanley West was listed as Missing believed wounded initially and his wife and family weren’t notified of his death until early in 1945. According to a Trooper with the Royal Armoured Corps Stanley’s body was discovered in a field when Tilly was retaken by the Allies in late June 1944.
Crewe Chronicle 3/3/45
Stanley's grave
Stanley is also commemorated on the Men of Newton Abbott War Memorial.
Memorial at St Michaels Coppenhall