68. Hugh GREER [114311] (Richard Ledgett55, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born on Aug 22, 1883 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland, died on Mar 21, 1943 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland at age 59, and was buried on Mar 23, 1943 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland.
Noted events in his life were:
• Birth: at 37 Pilot Street, Aug 22, 1883, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
Hugh married Agnes SWAN [114335], daughter of James SWAN [114336] and Margaret CRAWFORD [114337], on Dec 18, 1910 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland. Agnes was born in Jun 1885 in Newtownards Co. Down Ireland, died on Feb 8, 1966 in Bangor Co. Down Northern Ireland at age 80, and was buried in Feb 1966 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland.
Children from this marriage were:
95 i. Hugh GREER [114338] was born in Sep 1912 and died on May 9, 1913. (Infant Death)
96 ii. Elizabeth Maud GREER [114339] was born in Dec 1914 in Bangor Co. Down Ireland. Another name for Elizabeth was Lily.
+ 97 iii. Hugh Henry GREER [114340] was born on Apr 29, 1921 in Belfast Ireland and died on Dec 15, 2008 in Bangor Co. Down Northern Ireland at age 87.
69. Richard GREER [114312] (Richard Ledgett55, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born on Jan 25, 1889 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died in 1925 at age 36.
Noted events in his life were:
• Birth: at 19 Wilson Street, Jan 25, 1889, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
• Occupation: self employed and owned a Horse Drawn Taxi Business, operating out of York Street, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
Richard married Mary CONNOLLY [114341], daughter of James CONNOLLY [114342]. Mary was born circa 1885. Another name for Mary was Minnie.
Children from this marriage were:
98 i. Jack GREER [114343] .
General Notes: In a Document received from Cynthia Greer Velez in August 2018, she attributed the following to Mary O'Rawe:
Jack was the chauffeur for Michael Collins [the Republican "Terrorist"], seemingly driving the last car in the cavalcade when Michael Collins was shot and killed.
Jack married Cilla [114347].
99 ii. Victoria GREER [114349] died in 1977.
General Notes: In a Document received from Cynthia Greer-Velez, she included the following, attributed to Mary O'Rawe:
Vicky (quite reclusive and odd) - lived alone I think had cats and dogs.
100 iii. Josephine Gladys GREER [114350] .
101 iv. Hugh GREER [114351] was born in Mar 1914 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland, died on Sep 3, 1941 at Sea at age 27, and was buried in London Borough of Tower Hamlets London England.
General Notes: In a Document received from Cynthia Greer Velez in August 2018 she included the following:
He [Hugh] was lost when his ship the Fort Richepanse was sunk by German enemy action off Bloody Foreland, County Donegal Bombed first by German Air Force [Luftwaffe] then sunk by U-567.
Fate of the U-567: Sunk 21 Dec, 1941 in the North Atlantic north-east of the Azores, in position 44.02N, 20.10W, by depth charges from the British sloop HMS Deptford and the British corvette HMS Samphire. 47 dead (all hands lost). Those who sank the Fort Richepanse and killed young Hugh Greer were to suffer the same fate themselves just 3 months later.
+ 102 v. Mary Elizabeth GREER [114352] was born on Apr 29, 1915 in Co. Antrim Ireland, died on Dec 4, 1999 in Los Angeles Los Angeles Co. CA USA at age 84, and was buried in Culver City Los Angeles Co. California USA.
+ 103 vi. Margaret GREER [114348] was born in 1920 and died in 2007 at age 87.
71. James GREER [114314] (Richard Ledgett55, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born on May 4, 1894 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland, died on Apr 2, 1955 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland at age 60, and was buried on Apr 4, 1955 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland.
Noted events in his life were:
• Birth: at 47 Smithfield Street, May 4, 1894, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
• Death: at 49 Cardigan Drive, Apr 2, 1955, Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland.
James married Margaret Josephine CONNOLLY [114353], daughter of James CONNOLLY [114354], on Apr 16, 1917. Margaret was born in Sep 1894 in Belfast Ireland and died in Sep 1980 at age 86.
Children from this marriage were:
104 i. Gerald GREER [114356] was born in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died in 1986 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland.
General Notes: In a Document received from Cynthia Greer-Velez, she included the following [edited] Item, attributed to Mary O'Rawe:
Gerald lived in Crocus St off Falls Road.
Gerard and his brother Jim had become estranged but Gerard brought Jim back to Crocus St in his final Illness and paid teenagers to carry his coffin to St. Paul's when he died.
Gerard had movie nights in his house during "The Troubles" once a week.
Great cos they couldn't go out at night during troubles.
He was big into Movies and books
He stayed on in house in Crocus St after his mum died. No renovations - big hole in kitchen or yard possibly from a bomb during WW2. Never fixed.
He had no running water - had shower in Falls baths each day. Always looked well turned out but living in a cess pit. Crammed with papers, books, movies, rubbish. Paid £2 per week TV rental. Just tv and a chair in middle of front room.
He had an amazing collection of videos - many horror. My Mum remembers him as being big into horror growing up.
He became very reclusive - saw no one. He was dead for some time before found.
+ 105 ii. Richard James GREER [114355] was born on Feb 5, 1917 and died on Dec 8, 1969 at age 52.
72. Robert GREER [114315] (Richard Ledgett55, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born on Jul 4, 1895 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died in 1959 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland at age 64.
Noted events in his life were:
• Birth: at 8 Israel Street, Jul 4, 1895, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
Robert married Helena May ROBINSON [114357], daughter of Robert ROBINSON [114358] and Grace BOYD [114359], in 1920 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland. Helena was born in 1900 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died in 1937 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland at age 37.
The child from this marriage was:
+ 106 i. Robert GREER [114360] was born on May 5, 1921 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland and died on Nov 17, 1993 in Melbourne VIC Australia at age 72.
Robert next married Ann [114361].
Robert next married Mary REID [114362].
73. Mary Elizabeth GREER [114316] (Richard Ledgett55, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born on Oct 12, 1896 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died in 1974 in Wellington Co. Ontario Canada at age 78. Another name for Mary was Lily.
Noted events in her life were:
• Birth: at 8 Israel Street, Oct 12, 1896, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
Mary married William Henry HOWATT [114363], son of William John HOWATT [114364] and Ada COLLINGRIDGE [114365], on Jul 6, 1921 in Wellington Co. Ontario Canada. William was born on Oct 20, 1895 in Fergus Wellington Co. Ontario Canada, died in 1976 at age 81, and was buried in Fergus Wellington Co. Ontario Canada.
Noted events in his life were:
• Birth: a Garafraxa Street West, Oct 20, 1895, Fergus Wellington Co. Ontario Canada.
Children from this marriage were:
107 i. Eleanor HOWATT [114366] died in 1980.
+ 108 ii. Richard HOWATT [114367] .
109 iii. Hugh Henry HOWATT [114368] was born on Jul 31, 1925 in Ontario Canada, died on Mar 26, 1936 in Wellington Co. Ontario Canada at age 10, and was buried on Apr 22, 1936 in Fergus Wellington Co. Ontario Canada.
General Notes: In a Document received from Cynthia Greer Velez in August 2018, she reported as follows:
Regarding the significant Time between the Death and Burial of Hugh, from his death certificate and coroners report - so sad! He drowned! He went into the water to help his brother Richard [and obviously drowned himself]. They didn't find him until almost a month later. The details and dates are on the relevant documents.
75. Isaiah Clements GREER [114318] (Richard Ledgett55, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born on Aug 17, 1898 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died on Jun 24, 1952 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland at age 53. Another name for Isaiah was Joe.
Isaiah married Elizabeth Mary BROWNE [114369], daughter of Henry BROWNE [114370] and Mary Elizabeth HOME [114371], on Apr 12, 1919 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland. Elizabeth was born on Sep 20, 1896 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died on Sep 29, 1926 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland at age 30.
The child from this marriage was:
+ 110 i. Julia Annie GREER [114372] was born on Jul 29, 1920 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died in Jan 1990 in Lancaster Lancashire England at age 69.
Isaiah next married Elizabeth DAVIDSON [114373], daughter of Andrew DAVIDSON [114374], on Sep 3, 1927. Elizabeth was born in 1905, died on Jul 1, 1938 at age 33, and was buried on Jul 2, 1938 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland.
The child from this marriage was:
+ 111 i. Fanny GREER [114375] was born on Jul 11, 1928 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland and died in Mar 1986 in Antrim Co. Antrim Ireland at age 57.
Isaiah next married Margaret Roberta REA [114376], daughter of Albert Alexander REA [114377] and Elizabeth Norwood McBRIAR [114378], on May 3, 1939 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland. Margaret was born on Jul 29, 1914 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland and died on Nov 30, 2001 in Mississauga Peel Co. Ontario Canada at age 87.
The child from this marriage was:
+ 112 i. Isiah Alexander Norwood GREER [114379] was born on Sep 6, 1943 in Belfast Co. Antrim Northern Ireland and died on Dec 11, 2006 in Collingwood Simcoe Co. Ontario Canada at age 63.
80. Thomas GREER [118919] (James59, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) died in Sydney NSW Australia.
Thomas married Emily Jane MOORE [118920], daughter of William MOORE [118926] and Emma CONNOR [118927].
Children from this marriage were:
113 i. GREER [118921] .
GREER married KELTY [118922].
114 ii. James GREER [118923] .
115 iii. Florence GREER [118924] .
Florence married Ronald FORSYTHE [118925].
81. Elizabeth Jane BULLOCK [114322] (Sarah Jane Agnes GREER60, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born circa 1901 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
Elizabeth married Harry LESLIE [114380], son of Henry LESLIE [114381] and Martha MAWHENNY [114382], on Jun 30, 1919 in York Co. Ontario Canada. Harry was born on Jun 25, 1890 in Ireland.
Children from this marriage were:
+ 116 i. Harry LESLIE [114383] .
+ 117 ii. William LESLIE [114384] .
118 iii. LESLIE [114385] .
LESLIE married Boyd McKEE [114389].
+ 119 iv. LESLIE [114390] .
+ 120 v. Martha Elizabeth LESLIE [114386] .
+ 121 vi. LESLIE [114387] .
+ 122 vii. LESLIE [114388] .
82. Lindsay BULLOCK [114323] (Sarah Jane Agnes GREER60, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born circa 1903 in Ireland, died on Oct 26, 1987 aged about 84, and was buried in Toronto York Co. Ontario Canada.
Lindsay married Annie King CUPPLES [114391], daughter of Thomas George CUPPLES [114392] and Margaret KING [114393], on Jun 30, 1925 in York Co. Ontario Canada. Annie was born circa 1902 in Belfast Ireland and died on Apr 14, 1965 aged about 63.
Children from this marriage were:
+ 123 i. Lindsay Thomas Ronald BULLOCK [114394] was born on Jun 18, 1936 in Toronto York Co. Ontario Canada and died on Jul 12, 2012 in Sault Sainte Marie Ontario Canada at age 76.
+ 124 ii. Lavonne BULLOCK [114395] was born in 1940.
125 iii. Maureen BULLOCK [114396] was born in 1940.
Maureen married Robert MERZ [114397].
84. Charlotte BULLOCK [114325] (Sarah Jane Agnes GREER60, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born circa 1914 in Ireland. Another name for Charlotte was Lottie.
Charlotte married Arthur KEY [114398].
The child from this marriage was:
94. Robert GREER [3724] (Robert62, James47, James46, Bernard44, James42, William James Greer41, John Greer40, Robert Greeves39, Henry37, James (Sir)36, William 9th Lord of Lag (Sir)35, Roger 8th Lord of Lag (Sir)29, John 6th Lord of Lag (Sir)25, Roger Lord Windiehill24, Roger Kirkpatrick 4th Lord of Lag (Chief)22, Vedast 3rd Lord of Lag (Sir)21, Gilbert 2nd Lord of Lag (Sir)20, Gilbert 1st Lord of Lag (Sir)19, Malcolm Dominus18, Gregor (Lord)17, William Gillefealan16, Maíl Coluim of Glenorchy (Laird)14, Eoin of Glenorchy (Laird)13, Gregor Garbh of Glenurchy (Laird)12, Eoin Mór of Glenorchy (Laird)11, Gregor na Bratach8, Causantín III6, Dougallus (King)4, Griogair (Prince)2, Domnall of Dal Riata [Dalriada] (King)1) was born on Dec 12, 1907 in Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland, died on Nov 1, 1944 in Westkapelle Holland at age 36, and was buried in New Community Cemetery Oostende West-Vlaanderen Belgium.
General Notes: While Robert's Death Certificate states he died on January 01, 1944, it does not state where he died, only "On War Service";
but from the UK Forces War Records it states that he died on November 02, 1944.
Furthermore, his Death Certificate states he was a Sgt. (Ty), whereas the Forces War Record says he was a Sergeant, with no Comment about being Temporary.
If he died as per the Death Certificate, it would be prior to the Invasion of Europe in June 1944, as is believed by his Daughter, but in fact he died in November 1944, at the Attack on Westkapelle in Holland.
We now have complete Information provided by Richard Blyth, a Naval Rating who served on the same Vessel as did Sgt. Robert Greer at Operation Infatuate II.
Operation Infatuate II:
The Support Squadron Eastern Flank (SSEF) Force sailed from England on the 27th October 1944 to Ostend. SSEF consisted of 6 LCG(L)s and 2 LCG(M)s, 6 LCFs, 6 LCSs and five rocket craft, a force of 25 craft, there was also a small fleet of other landing craft including LCIs and LCTs that would take the commandos, second wave troops and amphibious vehicles, SSEF sailed from Ostend at 3.25am. In the early hours of November 1st 1944 Royal Marine commandos attacked at Westhopple [Westkapelle] in Holland as part of the Operation Infatuate to secure the Port of Antwerp to supply the Allies, the port was required as so rapidly was the Army advancing through Northern France and Belgium that supplying them was a problem.The assault by the SSEF had to be made in broad daylight at 9.15am, the weather was terrible, the planes were grounded that were going to support us. Warspite, Erebus and Roberts with their big guns were firing at the gun emplacements ashore but could not see the results. The spotter plane for them was also grounded owing to the bad weather. The SSEF plan was to split in two equal escort groups, one going south of the gap and one going north. The LCG(L)s were ordered to engage the Westkapelle Battery and went in firing.
As they passed a certain point some of the German guns opened fire to be joined later by the big guns at the Westkapelle main Fort. The enemy firing was heavy and very close, big shells being hurtled back in reply to our 4-7" Guns. Four LCT(R)S fired their 6" rockets at the beach head in batches. Each craft carried on its deck 1080 6" rockets, four craft like that could and did a lot of damage. Now it was crisis time in one of the most bitter and gallant battles of the war, as the first landing craft carrying the commandos headed for the gap in the Dyke the enemy batteries put up a devastating hail of fire. The two groups of SSEF craft were ordered closer in to draw away this fire by engaging the enemy guns at point blank range. LCG(M)102 beached down on the south side of the gap and engaged her target pillbox with her 3" guns and was immediately caught in a rain of shells at close range. Soon she had been hit several times and was on fire. Her crew got the fire under control but she was hit again and again, she was broken and burning on the beach. There were no survivors.
In the northern group LCG(L)1 (NOTE: Robert Greer served on LCG(L)1, as did the Author, Richard Blyth, R.N.) went in with her guns blazing independently and closed to 600 yards in spite of being hit three times by shells. Now she got hit several more times and then came the big one, a shell hit the bridge - there was a tremendous explosion. Our skipper, Lieutenant Ballard RNR, was wounded. The shell took the compass from his hand before it exploded then another shell blasted away the compass pedestal and voicepipe. All the officers were now wounded and the craft came to a stop with two dead and twenty wounded.
The survivors were rescued by LCS510. LCG(L)17 tried to take LCG(L)1 in tow, but the stricken craft sank. The skipper of LCG(L)17 Lt. Scammell received wounds coming to the assistance of LCG(L)1 of which he died. Out of the twenty-five craft in the SSEF a total of nine craft were lost and nine others badly damaged. Of the crews, 172 officers and men killed and 200 wounded.
Medals awarded:1 OBE, 1 DSO, 18 DSCs, 4 DSC (BAR)s, 1 DSC (2nd BAR), 2 CGMs, 27 DSMs and many others mentioned in dispatches.
This item is just a very small part of a gallant action by all who took part in this operation. If only it could do justice to all of the personnel involved but it seems such a puny effort on my part. There is so much that should have been written about Walcheren but as you say to anyone, how can you describe a craft that doesn't have a name, is flat bottomed, chugs along at about 10 knots, the regular navy regards them as kipper boxes.
One RN officer went so far as to say, "I would not take one outside the harbour." But the officers and men were second to none, we upheld the Royal Navy tradition for guts and tenacity. More should be written about Walcheren before the last of us cross the Bar. R Blyth LCG(L)1
CASUALTIES ON BOARD LCG(L)1 were:
1. CLARK, ROBERT, Royal Marines, posted Missing, believed killed, and
2. GREER, ROBERT, Sergeant (No. CH/X 3121), Royal Marines, buried at the New Community Cemetery at Oostende, Belgium.
Noted events in his life were:
• Birth: Registration Number is U/1908/48/1007/102/22, born at 15 Dagmar Street, Dec 12, 1907, Belfast Co. Antrim Ireland.
• Military Service: a Member of the Royal Marines, 1931 1944.
• Residence: at Navy House, Clover Street at the Time of his Marriage, Sep 12, 1931, Chatham Kent England.
• He was at 252 Pier Road with his Wife and 3 Children during the 1939 Registration at Gillingham Kent England.
• Military Service: a Royal Marine Corporal, aboard the HMS Suffolk, Aug 1942.
• Death: aboard an LCC [Landing Craft, Command], otherwise known as an Aphibious Command Ship, probably somewhere in the English Channel, Jan 1, 1944, Belgium.
Robert married Margherita Giuseppa Carla Maria Joanna WHITWORTH [3725], daughter of John William WHITWORTH [4363] and Giuseppa Lorenza Antonia ETHERIDGE [113332], on Sep 12, 1931 in St Michael the Archangel RC Church Ordnance Place Chatham Kent England. Margherita was born on May 7, 1911 in Senglea Malta and died Sep Q 1990 in Swale Kent England at age 79. Another name for Margherita was Margaretta Josephina Carola Mary Joan WHITWORTH.
General Notes: In an e-Mail received from Joyce [Pickering] Trousdale in July 2018, she mentioned:
a Margaret Whitworth was a Resident in a Navy Orphanage. This Margaret was born circa 1904, so is probably not "our" Margaretta.
The "Alternate" Name for Margherita is the Name she used when registering the Birth of her Daughter Margaret Mary Teresa Eileen.
Noted events in her life were:
• Residence: at 5 Sawyer's Place, Old Brompton Road at the time of her Marriage, Sep 12, 1931, Gillingham Kent England.
• Occupation: a Chambermaid at a Hotel at the time of her Marriage, Sep 12, 1931, Gillingham Kent England.
• She was living at 252 Pier Road with her Family [although some Members are redacted from the Record] at Gillingham Kent England at the Time of the 1939 Registration.
Children from this marriage were:
127 i. Robert J GREER [3726] was born 3 Qtr 1932 in Tendring Essex England.
+ 128 ii. Margaret Mary Theresa Eileen GREER [3508] was born on Aug 24, 1934 in Chatham Kent England.
129 iii. Patricia M GREER [3727] was born 3 Qtr 1937 in Medway Kent England.
Patricia married John SCOTT [3729].
+ 130 iv. Mary M GREER [3728] was born 4 Qtr 1941 in Chatham Kent England.
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