D-Day: S.1302 Naval Active Service Post card

Photos 1 &2

S.1302 Naval Active Service Post card

Post Card sent by Ronald Roberts to his father a few days after D-Day to say he was OK - dated 10 June, 1944. Probably due to censorship, service personnel were not allowed to write lengthy letters home at that sensitive time. Found in his late sister, Gwladys Roberts of "Isfryn", Glyndyfrdwy's collection.

Ronald was a Stoker 2nd Class on Landing Craft Tank LCT(6) 526 and landed on Juno beach (Nan Red) at St. Aubin-sur-Mer with the Canadians H + 75 mins. His craft was carrying:

(Serial 1535 is LCT 526 carrying)

19th Canadian Field Regiment, RCA

• 1 x M14 Halftrack

• 4 x M7 Priest 105mm SP, each towing a Porpoise MkII which has 125 rounds of

ammunition stowed loose

• 2 x Sherman OP

• 43 men

North Shore Regiment

• 1 x Carrier Mortar

• 1 x Carrier towing a 6 pdr Anti Tank gun

• 9 men

Plus

• 4 x Carrier MMG with 16 crew - ‘B’ Company, Cameron Highlanders of Ontario (MG)

• 1 x Bulldozer Class I with 3 man vehicle party - 59 Mechanical Equipment Section,

RE. Note: Class I is Caterpillar D8 or similar

 

The above was taken from "Juno Beach Landing tables" found at http://www.6juin1944.com/assaut/juno/tables.pdf

Some photos of LCT 526 during D-Day training can be found at https://www.navsource.org/archives/10/18/180526.htm

 

It is believed that LCT 526 sank around September, 1944 - circumstances unknown.

 

Ronald served from May 1943 to February 1947 when he was "demobbed". However, rejoined six months later in September, 1947 and served until 1964.

 

Photo 3

Ronald with his sister Gwladys returning to base after leave