Ronald Eric Martin

In Memory of
RONALD ERIC MARTIN
Trooper
7962634
2nd, Derbyshire Yeomanry, R.A.C.
who died on
Saturday 12 August 1944 . Age 20

Interred at Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery. Grave V. E. 8.

The events on the day of his death are described in the book "The Second Derbyshire Yeomanry (1939-1945)", by Capt. A. J. Jones.

"On 12th August, a squadron was called for to storm the ridge running South of St. Silvain, from which position the enemy had good observation for his own artillery. At about six p.m. 'B' Squadron were sent in and then followed a spirited action in which the squadron vainly endeavoured to carry out it's mission. On troop did, in fact, make a temporary lodgement on the crest of the ridge but the enemy's fire was too hot to withstand and the troop were forced to withdraw, having sustained twenty casualties, including four men killed* and three missing."

"It soon became apparent that the enemy were determined to hold on, regardless of cost. Their long range guns came into action and portions of shells recovered were identified as 29 c.m. long range shells being fired from the area of Le Harve - some thirty miles away."