Prescott, H. Mne.

Personal Information

At 0800 on the 6th June, 14 Landing Craft Assault (LCA’s) headed to the beach through a heavy swell. As they approached, shells began to fall in the water and the craft Harry was in was hit. Of the 36 men onboard, 11 including Maj. Feacey were killed and14 others wounded.

Harry always said “he was lucky” and was picked up by a craft returning from the beach, taken back to the ship and then rejoined the Commando in the now liberated Port-en-Bessin a few days later.

The next location was at Sallenelles where during the period 12th June – 18th Aug the Commando suffered 117 casualties including 14 killed, but Harry’s luck continued. The Commando, fighting as it went, liberated towns such as Fécamp, whilst pursuing the Germans back through France, to Belgium and on into Holland.

Sailing from Ostend on the 1st November they landed on the island of Walcheren under heavy fire to attack the heavily fortified German bunkers. The fighting was at close-quarters and continued day and night. Harry recalled a mortar shell landing nearby that killed or wounded half of his troop as they moved forward to capture the bunker. January 1945, moving towards Germany on the banks of the River Maas in the snow and bitter cold frozen polders the Commando attacked a heavily defended German location but were beaten back. Harry’s Troop Commander, Lt Ian Adam died as a result of that.