Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Gunner

Unit:

99th Battery, 19th Army Field Regiment, 8th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 3rd Canadian Infantry Division, Canadian Army

Awarded on:

August 31st, 1944

Recommendation:
The a/m soldier, by his devotion to duty, personal courage and determination to see the job well done was an inspiration to all and is worthy of commendation for same.
Action: On “D-Day”, 6 June 1944, Gunner Harold Roe Chaplin, a driver with the 99th Field Battery of the 19th Canadian Field Regiment, drove his vehicles from the LCT and was immediately tied up on the beach with it and other vehicles by a heavy traffic jam. All vehicles and personnel came under very heavy mortar, rifle and machine-gun fire. It was necessary for everyone, for personal safety, to leave their vehicles and seek shelter against the embankment. Gunner Chaplin was wounded in three places and three self-propelled guns took fire from the bombing.
It became apparent that other equipment might suffer loss by fire if left there. Gunner Chaplin, although thrice wounded, with utter disregard for personal safety, went under this heavy mortar and machine-gun fire and drove his vehicle, as well as others, to the exit on the beach and subsequently to the gun position where the guns were able to be placed in action and put to their correct use. Gunner Chaplin had to be carried from his vehicle as he was unable to move after performing this brave task.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 31 August, 1944.