259545 Pte. Sydney Douglas Penny British Army 1/8th Btn. D Coy, 15 Pl. Middlesex Regiment from:Wisbech Sydney Penny served with the 1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in WW2 as a wireless operator to FOO for D Company's 4.2" mortars. He spent most days in a bren-gun carrier with the officer and driver while reconnoitering for the mortar line.
He came ashore in Normandy with the 43rd Wessex Company, Royal Army Service Corps on about 24th June 1944. At first he was involved in the battles for Verson and Mouen and later, Maltot (he was left there with a handful of troops after the main force withdrew; the next morning our attack regained the village).
Later battles for Hill 112 and Mont Pincon found Sydney providing wireless contact for the mortar fire. He was wounded at the battle for the Noireau (the carrier Dauntless caught fire) and sent to England for recovery and
returned to the unit at Louvain and served with the 8th Battalion until the end at Bremen.
Sydney's memories recalled the approach to Bremen. The Germans were adding sea-mines to the teller mines in the road with (we think) a ratchet detonator. It was most disconcerting to hear explosions behind you as well as in front, the result of which was a hole so big it needed a scissor-bridge to cover it (and no sign left of the vehicle that triggered it).
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