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This story was submitted to the People’s War Site by Three Counties Action, on behalf of Edward Fawcett for Corporal Alexander Lewis Fawcett, and has been added to the site with his permission. Mr Fawcett fully understands the site’s terms and conditions.

“First and Last Regiment”

4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards Title

By their deeds in battles over the last quarter of a century the 4/7th Royal Dragoon Guards will be known to future tankmen as the “First and Last Regiment”.

In 1918 their horses were the first across the Hohenzollern Bridge over the Rhine into Germany. In September 1939 they were the first Cavalry-turned-tank regiment to arrive in France with the B.E.F.

On “D”Day their specially waterproofed tanks were first ashore in Normandy. On Friday, May 4th, 1945 they were fighting side by side with the famous 51st. Highland Division — the last British Troops to be in action against the Germans.

The first armour across the River Seine, the 4/7th. Broke out from the Vernon Bridgehead, and their tanks led the rescue column to Arnhem. They were the first British Troops to link up with the Americans at Gerdern in February. From “D” Day onwards they destroyed 100 German Tanks.

(Extract from “The Daily Telegraph” dated 5th. June 1945.)

Tuesday 8th May 1945.

So Passed the Night

Over England’s fair countryside the shadows of war have fallen. Deep in the hearts of the freedom loving people there has come a darkness, who knows how long it will last, who could tell what suffering and tragedy our people would have to bear. No one knew, no one could ever guess, but when the realities of war came to our people there arose a spirit a fighting spirit that was determined to see this thing through. Every Man, Woman and child was in this war to the finish. As I write this we have just been ordered to cease fire against Germany we are half way to complete victory. England should never more feel the blast of an enemy bomb or shell, no more should our women and children feel the horrors of total war.

It is just five years since I was called to the Colours, what a strange sensation it was to leave Civvy Street and adjust myself to the strictness and sternness what Military Discipline requires. I soon got familiar with this life but how I missed home and the family.

For four years I was lucky enough to be stationed in England being able to get home now and again was a great help during those trying times. During those four years we had been training for the day when we hoped to be able to land on the continent. Our task was not easy, the Germans had built an elaborate defence system, the longer we waited the harder it would be but with not having been in action I did not really know how much one had to bear.

May 1944

In a little village called Highcliffe on the South Coast of England we were busy putting the finishing touches to our tanks. Aboard each vehicle was stores of every description. Soon the job was finished and we passed the time of waiting away by playing football and occasionally getting a day pass that allowed me to go home to the wife and child. I tried hard to hide from the wife how soon the time would come when we should be far away but I think she knew and I must say she bore the tenseness and seriousness very well, all though she has shown a great spirit and I admire that spirit wholeheartedly.

One of the last things our troop did before we left England was to have our photograph taken. How things have changed since that day. A few of our troop have paid the Supreme Sacrifice others have been wounded or have to be taken off the tanks, there are only three of us left out of the original troop who are now on the tanks.

England’s Greatest Hour

Somewhere in the English Channel under cover of Darkness the great invasion fleet has set sail. The sea was fairly rough and many of us were quite ill, for with the flat bottomed craft one got the sensation of being hurled into the air only to be flung back flat with a rendering crash.

All around the air became shattered by violent explosions of bombs, shells and guns. Everything becomes lit up and the tension is great, yet as I turned and looked towards England I thought of my Wife, my son Alex and the baby that was on its way. I thought of Mother, Father and all at home, within a few minutes all of my 25 years of life had passed like a film strip through my mind.

Daylight came and under cover of the Navies guns we waded ashore through the mine infested waters to the safety of a narrow lane marked by white tape. The soil we moved along now was German held a few hours before, this was France this was what I and thousands of others had trained four long weary years for. This was England’s Greatest Hour. But the hero’s of that epic day were those who died on the beaches, their names should live for ever and the memory of my comrade who fell shall always be with me.

It was not long before I was amongst the fighting, one does not really know when or how he is in action for the first time or two. There is so much to be done, guns loaded, ammunition ready, gun traversing all right, orders coming over the wireless but the main thing is to watch for the enemy, “There they go, Shoot”. Yes before one really knows where he is many of the enemy have hit the dust I did not feel sorry, my blood was up with the loss of my comrade when in action there is only one saying “If you don’t get him, he will get you”. In my first action I was terribly excited and sweated with fear a fear of death, I did not want to be lying outside there huddled up dead, no it could not happen “Please God Keep Me Safe” yes I have prayed many times, it makes you pray, I am no coward but I don’t think the bravest can resist showing signs of fear when shells are dropping around you and men are being blown sky high.

For ten weeks we battled against the Boche, ten weeks of hell, shells and death. Sleep was practically nil. How much longer could we go on, this slow dogged pace when every yard was like a mile every day like a year. History was made in place names like Hills 101 and 102. Names made up by the boys like Dead Cow Orchard and Stonk Corner, will go down in the Regimental Annals. Today we laugh at the way and speed of diving under the tanks to avoid the shells but it was no joke then.

Swanning (Motoring)

The breakout came, it was unbelievable after weeks of slow dogged advancing. The Falaise Gap was accomplished the crust was broken we are able to use the tanks to their full capacity. Roaring along the roads catching the Boche unawares and shooting them up. Oh yes I could load the guns now and watch the enemy being mown down without batting an eyelid. I still had that sense of fear and everytime when in action I always try to look on the safe side. Little things like looking into trees for snipers before getting out of the tank or standing on the near side of the tank that is having the tank between the enemy and myself.

Our regiment besides being the first tanks ashore on D Day had the honour of being the first across the River Seine. We crossed the river with the Somersets believe me they were good them chaps nothing seemed to deter them. After two days of fighting we made a breakout and soon we were passing the old battlefields of Somme, Arras and other places including Ypres. Northern France was clear of the enemy, everywhere the civilians greeted us with flowers and champagne. All the boys were in good spirits it was grand to be able to liberate towns and villages and give these people their freedom. What a change from Normandy.

However far away Normandy was, it still remains impressed on my mind.

Belgium was reached but unfortunately our stay in that fair country was only short. Never in my life have I eaten so many tomatoes the Belgian people just showered them upon us.

To stand in front of a large map and have the next move explained to us seemed to us like an incredible dream. Good lords we said it is not possible but it was a great plan on the part of our commanders and except for treachery at Arnhem the plan would have been very successful and the war would have been shortened by months. I don’t know the true facts but I believe somebody tipped the Germans off and they were waiting for our Airbourne at Arnhem.

For the next instalment of this story go to “The Memoirs of Corporal Alexander Lewis Fawcett — Part Two”

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