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Churcher, John Bryan

Date of birth:
September 9th, 1905 (Reading/Berkshire, United Kingdom)
Date of death:
August 2nd, 1997 (Colchester/Essex, United Kingdom)
Service number:
31905
Nationality:
British

Biography

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Acting Brigadier
Awarded on:
October 19th, 1944
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Temporary Brigadier
Awarded on:
January 24th, 1946

Awarded as bar on the ribbon of the first medal
Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
Rank:
Temporary Major-General
Awarded on:
June 5th, 1952
Companion of The Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB, Military Division)

War Diary mentions

5 July 1944 WO 171/691 - 159 Infantry Brigade
Today was a day of preparation for the relief of 159 Brigade by the 130 Brigade of the 43 Inf Div. This started at 2400 hrs. A fire plan was arranged to cover the relief. This plan was designed to smarten up all known enemy positions, which were likely to hamper the relief. The results were most effective, as from the commencement of the relief until the last few minutes no shelling or mortar fire was brought down on the Brigade area. Lt-Col J.B. Churcher took over command of the Brigade from Brigadier J.G. Sandie.

15 August 1944 WO 171/866 - 3 Royal Tank Regiment
Brig Churcher holds conference with CO in RHQ area.

16 August 1944 WO 171/846 - 15-19 The King Royal Hussars
Sqns very busy taking over their new tanks and preparing them for battle. This necessitated taking all the guns out of grease and doing a large number of jobs of fitting and adjusting to make these new vehs ready for battle. The C.O., 2nd i/c and Sqn Ldrs. went forward to meet G.O.C. 11 Armd Div and be given some picture of the battle which was then going on. C.O. and 2nd i/c went on to visit H.Q. of 29 Armd Bde and 159 Inf Bde, the two Bdes in 11 Armd Div., which were at the time fighting in the area CONDE-SUR-NOIREAU 8831 and VASSY 7932. 29 Armd Bde is Comd by Brigadier C.B.C. Harvey DSO., and 159 Inf Bde by Brigadier J.B. Churcher.

18 August 1944 WO 171/866 - 3 Royal Tank Regiment
Brig Churcher (159 Bde) and Brig Channon (9 Amer Div) meet in BRIOUZE.

12 March 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
Brig: J.B.Churcher DSO. adressed the Bn giving an account of the last battle.

6 May 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
Battalion March past. Brigadier J.B.Churcher DSO taking the salute.

13 May 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
Bn. moved to occupy Flensburg, Route Neumunster 4751 Rendsburg, 2636, Schleswig 2663, Flensburg 2294 was reached during the afternoon, the Brigadier taking the salute in the town square as the motor vehicles passed through.

21 May 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
The Brigadier inspects the barracks. Meyn. 0993 and Meynfeld patrolled by area patrol.

27 May 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
159 Inf. Bde. held a thanksgiving service at the Garrison Church, followed by a march past, with the Brigadier takin the salute.

30 June 1945 WO 171/5201 - 1 Herefordshire Regiment
An Adjutants parade in the morning had to be cancelled owing to rain. The C.O. inspected all company billets during the morning. A Platoon of "A" Coy. u/c Major R.G.Tapper MC., carried out a check of all passes and vehivle permits in Flensburg during 1200/1300 hrs. The Brigade Commander (Brig.J.B.Churcher DSO.) inspected "B" Coy at 0900 hrs, before they left for guard duties at 8 Corps HQ., for the following week.

Sources

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