HARVEY, William Young

Rank: 
Gunner
Unit / Base: 
4 Commando
Regiment/Corps: 
Royal Artillery
Service: 
Army
Number: 
837194
Died : 
Wednesday, November 1, 1944
Killed in action or died of wounds
Age: 
29
Local Roll of Honour: 
Gunner Bill Harvey was killed by enemy machine gun fire during commando operations at Flushing, Holland. Son of Mr and Mrs Stanley Harvey, husband of Margaret and father of Bill.
William Young Harvey was born in North Shields and educated at Spring Gardens School. He worked at Scott's Sweet Factory before leaving for Seghill Colliery. He later joined the Territorial Army serving for 6 years and had been a commando for 4 years. Met and married Margaret in Troon, Ayrshire.
A full report after the operation records the following under 3 Troop, page 24 "The distance between the harbour area and the first objective, BRAEMAR, was covered as fast as possible, and the first objective was reached at first light, 0700 hours. On the way to the first objective Gnr. Harvey was killed by enemy MG fire. Numerous enemy were seen, but were apparently in rather a disorganised state and concentrated on cover rather than concerted resistance. Various pill boxes and machine gun posts were by-passed with the exception of one pill box in the neighbourhood of BRAEMAR. As this pill box covered the approach to BRAEMAR an assault group of C sub section under Sjt Jackson was detached to deal with it. In doing so Pte. Laux was killed at the entrance to the pill box."
 
Sources
CWGC.
Bill Harvey, son of Gunner Harvey.
Documents and photos on Linked Content below.
 
Primary Roll of Honour: 
Photo of grave in Gallery: 
Yes

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