SHEWRING, Robert Arthur Fitzroy

No Surname Rank Service Number

Date Of Death

Age Regiment/Service Nationality Grave/Memorial Ref.

Cemetery/Memorial Name

1

SHEWRING , ROBERT ARTHUR FITZROY

Private 14610101

09/08/1944 19

Somerset Light Infantry, 7th Batt, B Company

United Kingdom VIII. D. 11. ST. MANVIEU WAR

CEMETERY, CHEUX

(Source: Commonwealth Graves Commission)

Robert volunteered when he was only 17 – he said he was 18.

He was the son of Arthur Fitzroy Shewring and Beatrice May Shewring of Dyrham.

He died when he was 19.

He was buried in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux about 15 Km west of Caen:

St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux (Source: Commonwealth Graves Commission)

Robert’s gravestone in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux

He is also commemorated on his parents grave in St Peter’s Churchyard, Dyrham.

The gravestone of Robert’s parents in Churchyard, Dyrham

Robert’s younger brother Leslie’s widow, lives in Pucklechurch. She kindly offered a file of information about Robert, consisting of books, photographs and documents.

Badge of the Somerset Light Infantry

The Somerset Light Infantry Regiment had landed in Normandy on the 24th June after the beaches had been secured. On August 5th 1943, the SLI had joined in a battle to capture Mont Pincon in Normandy, a 200 ft hill that dominated the surrounding countryside and was well defended by the Germans. It stood about 40 Km south-west of Caen. The Allies captured the hill after about two days but were still barraged by German artillery.

On 9th August, the regiment moved over the top of the hill and down south-eastwards in the direction of Le Plessis Grimoult, 2 Km away. B Company was detailed to support A Company in an attack on Les Hameaux, another village 1 Km further to the south of Le Plessis Grimoult.

Robert died on 9th August. It is not known whether he died in action on that day or died of wounds sustained in the battle for Mont Pincon.

As was the custom, soon after Robert’s death, his parents in Dyrham received the telegram all parents and relatives feared – the notification of death.

Ten days after his death, his company commander wrote:

He wrote this letter shortly after the SLI’s battle to cross the River Noireau as part of the battle of the Falaise Pocket.

Later in August, the family received the official notification from the War Office:

And later, there was a message from the King:

Each soldier had to have a Will. There was a standard form:

First side of Robert’s Will

Second side of Robert’s Will

He was awarded three medals:

From left to right: The France and Germany StarThe 1939 – 1945 StarThe 1939 -1945 War Medal