TracesOfWar needs your help! Every euro, pound or dollar you contribute greatly supports the continuation of this website. Go to stiwot.nl and donate!

Kingsford, Desmond Glover

Date of death:
August 10th, 1944
Buried on:
Commonwealth War Cemetery Tilly-sur-Seulles
Plot: IX. Row: H. Grave: 10.
Service number:
121551
Nationality:
British (1801-present, Kingdom)

Biography

Do you have more information about this person? Inform us!

Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Major
Awarded on:
December 21st, 1944

Posthumously awarded
Military Cross (MC)

War Diary mentions

10 August 1944 WO 171/1257 - 3 Irish Guards
The BN. took over this new position without incident and the take over 0200 was completed by 0200 hrs. All through the day the whole of the BN. area was subjected to shelling and Mortaring,and during this time, Capt. D. Kingsford (no.1 coy. comm) was killed by a shell splinter. Capt. D. Compton was wounded and 17 ORs wounded. In the early evening, the two forward coys.-No. 1 (now commanded by LT. P. Doyle) and no. 4 coy.were attacked by what was thought to be a recce force in strength - this was easily repulsed and the attack petered out,but unfortunately no identifications were obtained,although we inflicted several casualties on the enemy,but it was impossible to go forward in the daylight to search bodies. This was attempted after dark by the intelligence section and several dead Germans were found in the standing corn immediately in front of nos. 1 and 4 coys. positions, but the search still did not reveal an identification so urgently required by higher formation. In the evening,orders were received that the BN. would attack the.next day, and as a.preliminary to this,a strong patrol from no. 4 coy.led by LT. Kingan was sent to recee the bridge and river by LA JARRIERE immediately to the SOUTH of SOURDEVALLE. They discovered the bridge to be strongly held,but no identification's could be obtained,and it was impossible to get across the bridge to the houses on the other side.

Sources

Photo