31 members of 6KSLI & 181 field regiment were either killed in action, died of wounds, or died accidently, here are some accounts
P/72690 Capt. Anthony John Julian Cory-Wright. C.O B Troop 177 Bty Killed in Action 26.06.44 Age 27.
Capt. Cory-Wright joined 181 Field Regt 06.03.42 from HQ 54 Division RA. Killed, when walking, with his team, to his observation post by a mortar bomb. He is buried in the Commonwealth Cemetery in Tilly-sur-Selles, Normandy.
1152731 Gnr Alfred Edward Gibbons RHQ Troop 181 Field Regt. Killed in Action 02.11.44 Age 45.
His son, Joe, who believes that his Father was killed in an accident, sent this photo to me and said that he was Batman to an Officer named Matthews. Although I have made enquiries, I have no more details. I believe the Officer was Capt WM Mathews, the Regiments Adjutant. Gnr Gibbons is buried in the Commonwealth Cemetery in Neederweert, Holland.
4031935 Sgt Edmund ‘Lin’ Linard and 4031603 Sgt Richard ‘Dick’ Fletcher .
A fine photograph of two Sergeants and old pals. On the left is 4031935 Sgt Edmund ‘Lin’ Linard on his right 4031603 Sgt Richard ‘Dick’ Fletcher. These two old sweats were regular soldiers who originally enlisted into the 1st Bn during the 1930’s and were re -enlisted into the 6KSLI at the outbreak of War. I’d guess this photo was taken just after the 6KSLI converted as there is little insignia and the men are wearing the old style ‘cheese cutter’ SD caps, with the familiar Artillery ‘Gun’ badge. A very sad story surrounds Sgt Linard. He complained that he was really an Infantryman at heart and requested a transfer to the Infantry. A short time afterwards he was killed by ‘short firing’, possibly by shells from his old Regiment, a tragedy of War. I did some research on the subject, and discovered that he was transferred to the 6Bn Royal Scots. An extract from the divisional history, 24.03.45. p.283. The RSF’s Objective was the bund immediately in front of Bishlich, and despite some casualties from shu-mines, and an unfortunate incident with two short shells that knocked out nearly half of D coy’s platoons, they took it with utmost dash. The day Linard was killed. See CWGC. Entry.
Dirk De Bruijn
Dirk De Bruijn was an 18-year-old Dutch interpreter with 181 field regiment. In March 1945 as the allies advanced into Germany, Dirk was approached by a group of German civilians on the pretext that someone needed help. Rashly, and without permission or guidance he went with them, and never returned, 3 days later his body was found with a gunshot wound to the chest. 2 German soldiers were arrested for his murder. This story was discovered in the pages of the regimental Padre, Cpt David Cairns memoirs and confirmed by Dutch researcher Steve Oodshirn who told me that Dirk was recognised by the British government when his medals were presented to his brother in a ceremony in 2000.
The Fenton Brothers – A Mother’s pain.
A contemporary newspaper cutting taken from a local newspaper. One cannot imagine a mother’s grief losing not one, but two sons during the War. Mrs Gladys Adams had yet another son serving. I have never managed to find out whether he survived the fighting. 4040317 Gnr. Alfred Adams, from Fenton in Stoke-on-Trent served as a signaller with C. Troop 178 Bty. He married a Lincolnshire girl who he met while serving with 6KSLI when they were serving on coastal duty in the area, just before going to France. He was killed or more likely died from his wounds, when he and two other signallers were sent forward with spare parts and replacement radio sets. The other two men were 1152705Gnr Edgar John Cecil Adams, and – 4040133 Gnr Thomas James Evans (Evans 33) who were both killed instantly on 17 Sept. 1944, Gnr Alfred Adams a day later. This incident occurred in the Gheel Bridgehead. My dad was one of a party of volunteers led by Sgt Dick Fletcher who went out to retrieve the bodies. p.35 Guns and Bugles.
WAR GRAVES
Died together, buried together. Sgt Arthur Gunn, Gnr’s Ralph McMorland and Stan Wheaton. Lie in peace at Brouay War Cemetery.
In a series of letters from Captain John H. Thomlinson, he described the circumstances around Stewart Lowdon’s death ” A splendid young Doctor, Stewart Lowdon Asked me if I would help recover the body of his medical orderly who had been killed in a minefield we and other helpers took the C/O’s half track. We found the body and reversed the vehicle slowly up to it. All seemed welland Lowdon went to the back to ift the body on board. Sadly there was another mine and the extra weight at the rear set it off . We had a jeep with us but by the time we had got him to the field dressing station- he was dead. Suppose we should have been reprimanded for taking unnecessary risks, but there are some situationswhere it is impossible to say ‘No’. Note: The Medical Orderly – Bdr Marklew was also killed whilst retrieving a body from the minefield, see page ‘A final tribute’.
Guns and Bugles 