1 South Lancashire Regiment landed at Sword Beach

D-Day by Chris Collingwood June 6th, 1944 allied troops land in Normandy, here assault troops of the South Lancashire Regiment of the British 3rd Infantry Division storm ashore at sword beach. Second Lieutenant G. G. Coury Assisting Men Digging A Communication Trench Under Intense Fire. During an advance, Second Lieutenant Gabriel George Coury, of the South Lancashire Regiment, was in command of two platoons, which had been ordered to dig a communication trench, and his fine example kept up the spirits of his men, who completed the task under intense fire.

Later, after his battalion had suffered severe casualties and the commanding officer had been wounded, he went out in front of the advanced position in broad daylight and brought him back over ground swept by machine-gun fire. He also assisted in rallying the attacking troops and in leading them forward.

He has been awarded the V.C. for his most conspicuous bravery. Corporal Windell Breaking-Up The Enemies Attack By The Fire Of His Machine-Gun From The Roof Of A house Near Neuve Chapelle. With hastening with an officer and a private to the roof of a house near Neuve Chapelle to recover a Maxim gun, Corporal John William Windell of the 2nd Battalion South Lancashire Regiment, saw from the attic some of the enemy digging themselves in, while a considerable number were advancing to occupy an abandoned British trench. He at once trained the gun on the advancing Germans, but very soon bullets began to splash against the roof, which sheltered him.

The firing came from a machine gun in a house five hundred yards away, and on turning his gun on it, Corporal Windell actually silenced his opponent. He again trained his gun on the advancing infantry, who fell back in disorder, but he had soon to retreat before heavy shellfire. He eventually recovered the gun and was rewarded with the D.C.M. for his gallantry and ability.