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The following story appears courtesy of and with thanks to Ronald Parker and Father
Major Maurice Albert Parker:

On December 19th, Major Parker was called to Brigade Headquarters at Stone Hill. He was given orders to move "D" Company, RR of C from Obelisk Hill, where they had been since December 8th, to Stanley Mound. Brigadier Wallis had decided to abandon Obelisk Hill and to concentrate his troops on, and around Stanley Mound. Returning to Obelisk, Major Parker ordered his men to pack up and "D" Company began to move out at about 15:00 hrs. that afternoon.

Royal Rifles "D" Company Headquarters Platoon, and No.17 Platoon began the ascent of Stanley Mound at about 16:30 hrs. On the way up they were joined by No.16 Platoon but No.18 Platoon, which had been left in reserve at Obelisk Hill, ran into some difficulties getting away. Major Parker wrote. "Number 18 Platoon was detained under someone else's command and was having difficulty getting away, due to a difference in rank. It was too late for them to join us in the ascent, but we met them the next morning on the way down." With No.18 Platoon unable to take their position on Stanley Mound due to confusion in command the mission was in danger of failing before it began.

December 20

On the morning of December 20, though they had just arrived on Stanley Mound, "D" Company were ordered to descend and move to a "Rotary Area" for rest and re-arming, then re-deployment. Totally exhausted, they were badly in need of a break and some hot food. The rest they got was to be all too short, and the food was cold.

For the next three days "D" Company of the Royal Rifles ate, and catnapped when ever the opportunity presented itself which was most often in their gun pits. It was non-stop fighting over the rugged terrain. Their most urgent objective was to join up with the Winnipeg Grenadiers of the West Brigade before the Japanese could split the two Brigades and prevent a cohesive defense.

Continued...
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