Guardsman Hugh Melville, 3 troop, died during operations at Normandy in the Plain Gruchet area. He had been one of the replacements who joined No 3 in July 1944. [view].

 

"There was enough debris in the water to make stepping stones and Ponsford now called forward Sergeant Osbone MM. "Take four men, get across and have a look at that bridge beyond. We'll give you covering fire." Osborne and his men dashed down the bank unscathed, crossed the ruins in the water, and scrambled up the opposite bank. A shot rang out and Melville, a Scots Guardsman, who had already been wounded on D+4, was hit. To avoid further casualties Ponsford shouted to Osborne to bring his men back, which he managed to do. Melville, who was badly injured, died soon afterwards."

 

Gdsm Melville is also named in Trooper Stan Scott's book Fighting with the Commandos. Tpr Scott was in No 3 Commando and in the same troop as Gdsm Melville and was present when he was killed, and describes the incident in his book. Prior to Tpr Scott's death last year he identified Gdsm Melville in this photo, and others, of 3 troop No 3 Commando at Limehouse 1944.