LCG – Landing Craft Gun, a converted LCT equipped with 4.7-inch guns
LCI – Landing Craft Infantry, a medium-sized landing craft capable of carrying around two hundred troops
LCM – Landing Craft Mechanised, a small landing craft capable of carrying one hundred troops, one small tank or two smaller vehicles
LCP – Landing Craft Personnel, a small landing craft capable of carrying up to forty troops
LCS(M) – Landing Craft Support (Medium), a small assault ship equipped to provide close fire support
LCT – Landing Craft Tank, a versatile landing craft, the regular version of which could carry up to six forty-ton tanks
LCT(R) – Landing Craft Tank (Rocket), a converted LCT equipped with more than one thousand rocket launchers
LSI – Landing Ship Infantry, the small assault version of which had a capacity of one hundred troops, while the larger version could carry twelve LCAs
LST – Landing Ship Tank, larger than an LCT, with a displacement of two thousand tons
MC – Military Cross (British gallantry award)
MG42 – machine gun (German) known to British troops as the Spandau
ML – Motor Launch
MM – Military Medal (British gallantry award)
MO – Medical Officer
MTB – Motor Torpedo Boat
Mulberry harbour – code name for the prefabricated artificial harbours towed across the Channel after D-Day
NAAFI – Navy, Army and Air Force Institute (British organisation running canteens, shops, etc., on British bases)
Oboe – British targeting system for blind bombing
OC – Officer Commanding
Oerlikon – Swiss-designed 20-millimetre automatic anti-aircraft gun
PE and PHE – plastic (high) explosive
Phoenix caisson – a prefabricated section of a Mulberry harbour
PIAT – Projectile Infantry Anti-Tank (a platoon-level British anti-tank weapon)
Pluto – code name (and acronym derived from Pipeline Under The Ocean) for the top-secret pipeline developed to pump fuel across the Channel after D-Day
RAMC – Royal Army Medical Corps
RCAF – Royal Canadian Air Force
RE – Royal Engineers
RSM – Regimental Sergeant Major
RT – Radio Telegraphy
RV – rendezvous
Scorpion – a modified Matilda tank equipped with a rotating flail of chains for clearing minefields
Shaped Charge – explosive charge shaped in order to focus the blast in a particular direction
Short Stirling – four-engined heavy bomber (British)
Snake – a long pipe of explosive pushed ahead of an AVRE into a minefield and detonated to clear a path
SOE – Special Operations Executive, the secret British organisation set up in 1940 to encourage resistance and carry out sabotage in enemy-occupied territory
SP gun – self-propelled gun
Sten gun – sub-machine gun (British)
Thompson / tommy gun – sub-machine gun (American)
TT – the formation sign of the British 50th (Tyne and Tees) Division
VC – Victoria Cross (highest British award for gallantry in the face of the enemy)
Very light – a coloured flare fired from a pistol
WAAF – Women’s Auxiliary Air Force (British)
W/T – wireless telegraphy
Index of Contributors
Number in brackets denotes IWM Sound Archive catalogue number. Page numbers in bold refer to photographs.
Adcock, Captain Alan [14141](i)
Agnew, Corporal George Sidney Kenneth [16976](i)
Ashcroft, Lieutenant Eric [13932](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Ashcroft, Lieutenant Gerald Edward [10086](i), (ii), (iii)
Astor, Hugh [18149](i)
Atkinson, Private Richard [14972](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
Bader, Gunner Ramsey [10593](i)
Baker, Sergeant William [10463](i)
Barkway, Staff Sergeant Geoff [10639](i)
Barlow, Private Tom [19768](i)
Barnes, Corporal John [13390](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Barnes, Private Reginald [17027](i), (ii)
Barrass, Major Patrick [27185](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Bartlett, Ordinary Seaman Thomas [27181](i)
Batten, Sergeant Arthur [27802](i)
Baty, Private James [21192](i), (ii), (iii)
Bayly, Lieutenant Commander Patrick [12590](i)
Belchem, Brigadier David [2909](i), (ii), (iii)
Bellows, Sergeant James [12913](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii)
Benbow, Sub Lieutenant Hilaire [25199](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Bennett, Air Vice Marshal Donald [9378](i)
Bennett, Flying Officer Thomas [8660](i)
Bird, Sub Lieutenant Peter [18684](i)
Bird, Lieutenant Richard Charles [12424](i), (ii)
Black, Sergeant Major Jack [21795](i), (ii)
Blake, Lance Corporal John [26844](i)
Blanchard, Leading Seaman Wally [19906](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Blizzard, Corporal Arthur John [17979](i), (ii)
Botting, Private Douglas [22680](i), (ii)
Bourlet, Private Francis [27247](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Bowen, Private Dennis [14826](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii)
Boyle, Staff Sergeant Peter [27270](i)
Branson, Lieutenant Philip [13266](i), (ii)
Braybrooke, Sub Lieutenant Roderick [17612](i), (ii)
Briggs, Sergeant Keith [16696](i), (ii)
Brooke, Sub Lieutenant John [15586](i)
Brown, Private Andrew [20942](i)
Brown, Sergeant Mike [29996](i)
Brown, Private Patrick [19052](i)
Brown, Ordinary Seaman Robert [29022](i)
Brown, Company Sergeant Major William [9951](i)
Burge, Private Roy [20810](i)
Button, Aircraftwoman Ivy [17472](i)
Cahil, Midshipman John [17051](i)
Cakebread, Marine Derrick [20484](i)
Cammack, Corporal Harold [18832](i)
Capon, Ordinary Seaman John [30008](i)
Capon, Private Sidney [21061](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii)
Carter, Lance Corporal Alan [18515](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Chambers, Major George [10415](i), (ii)
Church, Corporal Alfred [26945](i), (ii), (iii)
Clarke, Private Harry [11357](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
Clegg, Sergeant John [18468](i), (ii), (iii)
Coaker, Petty Officer Reginald Samuel Francis [17117](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Collins, Colonel Thomas [18206](i)
Corboy, Corporal Michael [23140](i)
Cosgrove, Corporal Frank [10177](i), (ii)
Cramer, Sergeant James [21877](i), (ii)
Crofts, Private Philip [11257](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
Crookenden, Major Napier [16395](i), (ii), (iii)
Dales, Private Arthur [14595](i)
Dance, Staff Sergeant Reg [18258](i), (ii)
Darling, Major Kenneth [13453](i), (ii)
Dixon, Private Ron [19533](i), (ii)
Donaldson, Private James [22357](i)
Dron, Edna [9716](i)
Dunn, Sapper William [12938](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Dye, Bombardier Ralph [20064](i), (ii)
Earl, Marine Sam [20150](i), (ii)
Edmondson, Pilot Officer Roy [27175](i)
Edwards, Private Denis [23207](i), (ii), (iii)
Ellis, Trooper Joseph [14885](i), (ii), (iii)
Ewing, Trooper Kenneth [21589](i), (ii)
Finigan, Sapper Thomas [12989](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Forster, Private Jack [12248](i), (ii)
French, Sergeant Bill [13144](i)
Fry, Sick Berth Attendant Bill [18579](i)
Fussell, Private Peter [10242](i)
Gibson, Priva
te Leslie [20935](i), (ii)
Gillam, Group Captain Denys [10049](i)
Gosling, Major Richard [21290](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Gray, Irene [14987](i)
Gray, Private William [11478](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii)
Green, Sub Lieutenant Jimmy [28401](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Gueritz, Lieutenant Commander Edward [17394](i), (ii)
Hamilton, Flying Officer Malcolm [18264](i)
Hamlyn, Driver Roy [17772](i), (ii), (iii)
Hammerton, Lieutenant Ian [8939](i), (ii), (iii)
Henderson, Trooper Ronald [17632](i)
Hennessy, Corporal Patrick [17678](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Heron, Leading Telegraphist Reginald [22385](i)
Higgins, Sergeant Frank [9539](i), (ii)
Higgs, Sergeant William [22095](i), (ii)
Hill, Brigadier James [12347]i,(ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix)
Hill, Lieutenant Richard [20117](i)
Hogben, Lieutenant Commander Lawrence [28402](i), (ii), (iii)
Holdsworth, Private Albert [13652](i)
Hollis, Company Sergeant Major Stanley [1648](i), (ii), iii
Honour, Lieutenant Commander George [9709](i), (ii)
Hooper, Lieutenant Eric [11208](i)
Hopthrow, Brigadier Harry [11581](i)
Houlton-Hart, Captain Darby Robert [15355](i), (ii)
Howard, Major John [11061](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), v,(vi), vii,(viii), (ix), (x), (xi), (xii), (xiii), (xiv), (xv), (xvi), (xvii), (xviii), (xix), (xx), (xxi)
Howard, Corporal Wilfred Robert [11223](i), (ii), (iii)
Howe, Telegraphist Kenneth [13097](i)
Howell, Sergeant Neville [20937](i), (ii), (iii)
Irwin, Lieutenant Michael [9956](i)
Jalland, Lieutenant Herbert [11944](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Jefferson, Lieutenant Alan [13723](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Jesse, Engine Room Artificer Ronald [25186](i), (ii), (iii)
Jones, Corporal Andrew [14925](i)
Jones, Sapper Wilfred Robert [14280](i), (ii), (iii)
Kelly, Marine James Anthony [11281](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
King, Sergeant Major Russell [18512](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
Kirtland, Pilot Officer Herbert [17594](i), (ii)
Knight, Lieutenant Lionel [18828](i)
Lakeman, Sergeant Kenneth [18335](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Lanes, Corporal John [22115](i)
Larkin, Sapper Cyril [20341](i), (ii)
Le Cheminant, Private William John [12546](i), (ii)
Le Roy, Midshipman Rene [20332](i), (ii), (iii)
Leake, Private Anthony [23205](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Lester, Telegraphist George [20094](i)
Lloyd, Private William Edward [13283](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
Lloyd-Davies, Commander Felix [9380](i), (ii), (iii)
Longhurst, Boy Seaman Signaller Victor [21656](i)
Lovat, Brigadier The Lord [17035](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xi)
Lowther, Lieutenant James [15733](i)
Lunn, Driver Robert [27730](i)
Male, Sub Lieutenant Herbert [13236](i), (ii), (iii)
Martin, Major Peter [12778](i), (ii), (iii)
McDonough, Sapper Bernard [16344](i)
Meredith, Trooper Berkeley [18577](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Metcalfe, Wing Commander Frank [17300](i)
Millin, Piper Bill [11614](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii)
Mills, Lieutenant Charles [11767](i), (ii)
Mills, Captain William [22685](i)
Minchin, Pilot Officer Ron [28757](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
Mitchell, Marine Raymond [12937](i)
Mogg, Major John [30505](i), (ii)
Mohr, Major Wilhelm [26590](i)
Mole, Trooper Ronald [13420](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi)
Moorcroft, Petty Officer Lawrence Alfred [14924](i), (ii)
Morgan, Able Seaman James Henry [13208](i)
Mountbatten, Vice Admiral Lord Louis [2979](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Neave, Captain Julius [27183](i), (ii), (iii)
Nevill, Peter [27499](i), (ii)
Newcomb, Private Victor [9400](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Newton, Private Gordon [17988](i), (ii), (iii)
Nicholson, Private George [19592](i)
Nield-Siddal, Marine Warwick [19672](i)
Nissenthall, Flight Sergeant Jack [10762](i)
Nuttal, Sergeant Sidney [21116](i), (ii)
Oakley, Able Seaman Kenneth [17294](i), (ii), (iii)
Oldland, Flight Sergeant Rex [29691](i)
Oliver, Warrant Officer George [28897](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), vi,(vii)
O’Neill, Sergeant Desmond [3971](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Otway, Lieutenant Colonel Terence [12133](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), v,(vi)
Packwood, Lance Corporal Thomas [20849](i), (ii)
Palmer, Sergeant Robert [20602](i), (ii), (iii)
Parr, Private Wally [11073](i)
Perkins, Private Frederick [14252] 387 37–8,(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x)
Perry, Private Leslie [20009](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Phelps, Lance Corporal Ron [21292](i)
Pimblett, Sick Berth Attendant Norman [17945](i)
Pine-Coffin, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey [1647](i)
Pinnegar, Private Harry [18827](i), (ii)
Pond, Lieutenant Hubert [13143](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Poore, Flight Lieutenant Arthur [20261](i)
Potts, Staff Sergeant John [22119](i), (ii), (iii)
Radmore, Captain Guy [12609](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Rayner, Sergeant Raymond [27350](i)
Rayson, Sergeant George [18004](i), (ii)
Reynolds, Ordinary Seaman Don [27243](i)
Richardson, Corporal George [13359](i), (ii)
Roebuck, Private Lionel [13584](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Rogers, Stoker Albert [22195](i), (ii), (iii)
Rooke-Matthews, Private Ernest [21591](i)
Rose, Sergeant Bob [19013](i), (ii)
Rose, Petty Officer Edward [13301](i)
Rosier, Private Frank [22076](i)
Ross, Company Sergeant Major Barney [17309](i), (ii), (iii)
Rouse, Captain Arthur [14255](i), (ii)
Rouse, Lieutenant Graham [28458](i)
Scott, Private Stanley Wilfred [20940](i), (ii), (iii)
Seeley, Wren Messenger Margaret [11737](i), (ii)
Self, Sergeant George [10413](i)
Semken, Captain John [21050](i), (ii)
Shrimpton, Able Seaman Bob [21735](i)
Siggins, Telegraphist Harry [9297](i), (ii)
Sinclair, Sergeant Edwin [10230](i)
Sivelle, Leading Seaman Henry [17839](i)
Smith, Lieutenant Richard ‘Sandy’ [11077](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Smith, Marine Dennis [20153](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Smith, Trooper Eric [28675](i)
Snell, Private William [13580](i)
Spearman, Corporal Jim [9796](i)
Spencer, Sergeant Brian [15121](i), (ii)
Spittles, Corporal Reginald [16808](i)
Stagg, Group Captain James [2910](i)
Stanier, Brigadier Sir Alexander [8191](i), (ii), (iii)
Stevens, Sergeant Joe [22387](i), (ii)
Strangeways, Lieutenant-Colonel David [16755](i), (ii)
Stringer, Sergeant Joe [20485](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), v
Suffling, Corporal Thomas Edward [13154](i), (ii)
Sullivan, Corporal Bob [17078](i), (ii), (iii)
Swainson, Sub Lieutenant Anthony [27177](i), (ii)
Tabb, Betty [11524](i)
Tabb, Ordinary Seaman Leslie [11525](i)
Tappenden, Corporal Edward [11515](i)
Tarbit, Leading Seam
an John [28767](i), (ii), (iii)
Taylor, Flight Sergeant John [30416](i)
Taylor, Ordinary Seaman Sidney [19532](i)
Thompson, Sergeant Arthur [13370](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Tibbs, Captain David [14825](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xi)
Todd, Lieutenant Richard [29069](i), (ii), (iii)
Travett, Lance Corporal Norman [10462](i)
Treacher, Marine Edward ‘Tommy’ [20609](i), (ii)
Treanor, Tom [1630](i)
Tyson, Corporal Percival [10309](i), (ii)
Wallace, Sergeant Edward [21872](i), (ii), (iii)
Walter, Brigadier Arthur [12555](i)
Warburton, Captain Arthur [20400](i)
Warren, Major David [12962](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii)
Watson, Lieutenant John [17079](i)
Watts, Captain John Cadman [18364](i)
Weathers, Private John [22363](i), (ii)
Webb, Sergeant Reginald William [16432](i)
Wellman, Telegraphist Derek [12734](i), (ii)
White, Brigadier Bruce [6827](i)
White, Sub Lieutenant Terry [22089](i)
Wicks, Marine Harry [20281](i)
Wileman, Trooper Douglas Edwin Patrick [23441](i)
Wilson, Lieutenant Ian [14619](i), (ii), (iii)
Winstanley, Leading Telegraphist Alan [8761](i), (ii), (iii)
Wood, Lieutenant David [11092](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
Worgan, Sapper Wesley [15717](i)
Wright, Lieutenant Edward [12786](i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Younger, Major Allan [8634](i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)
General Index
Page numbers in bold refer to photographs.
Aachen(i)
Abbott, ‘Bud’(i), (ii)
Admiralty(i), (ii)
air attacks, Allied(i), (ii)
airborne assault(i)
3rd Parachute Brigade(i)
5th Parachute Brigade(i)
6th Airborne arrival(i)
Benouville/Caen Canal (Pegasus Bridge)(i)
coup de main(i)
Ranville/Orne River bridge(i)
Ajax (cruiser)(i), (ii), (iii)
Alamein, battle of(i), (ii)
Allied Forces
air attacks(i), (ii)
21st Army Group(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v), (vi), (vii), (viii), (ix), (x), (xi)
see also armies and navies; specific air forces
Amiens prison(i)
Amphibious Tank Escape Apparatus(i)
Angmering(i)
Appledore(i), (ii)
Arethusa (cruiser)(i), (ii)
Armstrong, Reverend(i)
Arromanches(i), (ii), (iii), (iv), (v)