Guardsman 2719685 William Thomas Davies

BMD details:
Birth registered Q1 1918 at Prescot, Lancashire. Mothers maiden name: HODSON Vol 8b - Page 1168. Marriage of William T Davies to Kathleen M Brown registered Q2 1944 at Thrapston, Northamptonshire. Vol 3b - Page 478.

Family details:
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Davies; husband of Kathleen Mary Davies, of Kettering, Northamptonshire.

Census details:
1939 Register - Not Identified.

Notes:
Mentioned in Despatches London Gazette 20th Dec 1940, ref 7185.

The 2nd Armoured Battalion of the Irish Guards with their Sherman "Fire Fly" Tanks were heavily involved in the Normandy Campaign following the D-Day invasion. Guardsman William T Davies was a tank crew member in the 1st Squadron who lost his life following an engagement with three German Panther Tanks. The following is from the Battalion War Diary:- No. 1 Sqn then crossed the stream running N from CAGNY and moved up the ridge the far side with the objective of X rds by FRENOUVILLE. Lt. J. GORMAN's Troop on the left literally rant into 3 PANTHERS just over the crest. Lt. GORMAN rammed one - he was too close and the PANTHERS too surprised for either to shoot - jumped out and led his crew back to CAGNY. L/Sjt HARBINSON in the following tank was hit as he crossed the road CAGNY - EMIEVILLE and was badly wounded himself. Of his crew L/Cpl WATSON and Gdsm DAVIS were killed, and Gdsm WALSH and Gdsm MELVILLE wounded. Of Lt. GORMAN's crew Gdsm AGNEW and Gdsm SCHOLES were slightly wounded.