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Knox, Fergus Y. Carson

    Date of birth:
    June 15th, 1898
    Date of death:
    1969
    Service number:
    20532
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

    Promotions:
    June 15th, 1917: 2nd Lieutenant;
    December 15th, 1918: Lieutenant;
    ?: acting Captain;
    May 28th, 1924: Captain;
    January 15th, 1936: Major;
    May 6th, 1940: acting Lieutenant Colonel;
    August 6th, 1940: temporary Lieutenant Colonel;
    May 29th, 1941: acting Colonel;
    November 19th, 1941: Lieutenant Colonel (war subs.);
    November 29th, 1941: temporary Colonel;
    ?: temporary Brigadier.

    Career:
    ?: Commanding Officer, 69th Infantry Brigade.

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Acting Lieutenant-Colonel
    Unit:
    The Royal Ulster Rifles
    Awarded on:
    July 11th, 1940
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Awarded on:
    August 31st, 1944
    Awarded for:
    Operation Overlord
    Citation:
    "Brig Knox commanded the Bde which assaulted the beaches at LA RIVIERE on 6 Jun 44. The hazards of an opposed landing were greatly increased by the most unfavourable weather and sea conditions. Not only was it impossible to land the DD tanks, thus depriving the landing troops of their close support on first landing, but the clearance of mines and other obstacles on the beach was greatly interfered with, and this combined the the rising tide resulted in many small craft being sunk or capsized and vital vehicles drowned. Added to all this, many of the enemy's guns and machine guns had not been silenced in the preliminary bombardment.
    Where many might have faltered Brig KNOX's Bde never wavered, but with the utmost gallantry pressed on with the assault not only overcoming all natural difficulties but wearing down relentlesley with great skill and daring ...tubborn and tenacious enemy .....tected with concrete and well concealed field works.
    Brig KNOX was well ashore within the hour his first troops landing and in spite of the fire still sweeping the beaches and searching areas inland he moved freely and fearlessly amongst his troops encouraging and directing them with the greates skill. His cool courage and quiet imperturbility were a great source of strength and a rare inspiration to his whole command so that they continued to press on with renewed vigour and eagerness.
    As night fell the Bde had secured two bridgeheads (with intact bridges) over the river SEULLES at CREULLY and ST GABRIEL, in advance inland of some 700 yards and this after successfully assaulting a strongly defended beach under the most adverse conditions of weather and sea, clearing a heaviliy defended village on the coast and two battery positions behind - a great feat of arms and of endurance. This great achievement was made largely possible by the courageous, Skillful and determined leadership of Brig KNOX, whose prowess as a leader and commander was quite outstanding."

    Awarded in the form of a bar to be worn on the ribbon of the first DSO.
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier
    Awarded on:
    April 24th, 1946

    Royal Decree Nr. 29.
    Permission to wear the decoration was granted on July 18th, 1947.
    Commandeur in de Orde van Oranje Nassau met zwaarden (ON.3x)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Temporary Brigadier

    With Palm.
    Permission to wear the decoration was granted on September 25th, 1947.
    Commandeur in de Orde van Leopold II

    Sources

    Photo