Sgt Eric Ellerthorpe

[Harvestmoonshine]

Hello.
Sgt Eric Ellerthorpe 3534319 was my great uncle. He was killed on 21.7.1944 outside Caen while serving with the 1st battalion of the Manchesters. He is buried in Brouay war cemetery. I know very little about him and his military service. Does anyone have information or leads etc that could help enlighten me. Thanks.

[mack]

hiya harvest

eric and cpl 3858219 mornington kennell were the only two manchesters who died that day,they are buried side by side in brouay war cemetery
the war diary may have info in it,these are kept in the national archives at kew,not sure if our moderator roy has copies or could help

mack
ps welcome to the forum

[Harvestmoonshine]

Thank you for the quick reply,  information and welcome  .

[Bob.NB]

Harvest,
Your best bet is to get a copy of the History of The Manchester Regiment 1922-1948 by Lt Comdr A C Bell (via your local library or copies are available on the internet) and apply to the MoD for a copy of his service papers.
Good luck.
Bob B

[Harvestmoonshine]

Thanks for your help / reply.

[Harvestmoonshine]

On his graveside cross (not headstone) it says `DW 21.7.44` and coupled with the information that only 1 other soldier from the Manchesters died that day, is it probable that he suffered injuries during operation Goodwood 18-20 July which cost him his life? (died from wounds)  Thanks in advance.

[mack]

16th july 1944

2 platoons of the manchesters were in positions on the high ground north of grainville sur odon,they were to support the attack on cahier with machine gun fire and lay down mortar fire with their 4.2 mortars on the crossings over the river odon

17th july 1944
after the heavy fighting was over,the field was cleared of dead and wounded,the dead were buried in the cemetery at brouay and the wounded taken to the field hospital at brouay,during the evening they went into a rest area,on19th july they were moved to a quiet area at gavrus until 29th july

mack

[Harvestmoonshine]

Thank you for this information.