GROUPS AND SINGLE DECORATIONS FOR GALLANTRY
. He writes on 9 June ‘A hellish few days. I knew little about the big picture, but guessed it was the same on other parts of the invasion front. It was really a miracle that we were still in Normandy, and not smashed to bits and driven into the sea. We (the Armoured Brigade, including 24th Lancers, in support of 50th Northumbrian division) had been holding a high position identified on the map only as “Pt. 103”. But Point 103 became a poignant symbol for all of us. ... The more wooded part was about half a mile square, and it was here that we beat off attacks from the Panzer Lehr, a crack German tank division which had driven 90 miles from Chatres to get at us; also from the famous 12th SS Panzer (Hitler Jugend) Division, with their fanatically brave boys who counted it an honour to die for the Führer.’
On 10 June he wrote: ‘... Late that morning I was at the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards Regimental Aid Post ... when one of their tanks drove up and stopped. The crew tumbled out looking completely shattered. They explained that they had been shot up, and their tank commander, a young subaltern named Geoffrey Mitchell, was dead inside the turret; would we please get him out. I had known Geoffrey during our training in England, and in fact I had had a hand preparing him for Confirmation. Hedleigh and I asked the crew to drive the tank to some more secluded spot, and then he and I got down to our gruesome task. Somehow we got him out, though never before had we seen such a ghastly sight and several times we nearly gave up. Later in the day, ... I buried Geoffrey. As I said the words of the Burial Service I was in tears, feeling physically and emotionally at breaking point.’
At the end of July the 24th Lancers were disbanded, owing in part to the high number of casualties they had suffered and Green was transferred as Chaplain to the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards. For his service in Normandy with the 24th Lancers he was mentioned in despatches.
On 18 November 1944 ‘A’ Squadron, 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards lost four of its five Sherman tanks during the battle of Tripsrath in Germany. It was on this occasion that Green, on his own initiative went up in a Stuart ‘Honey’ light tank to collect the casualties under heavy fire. For his gallantry in action he was awarded the Military Cross.
With the end of the war, he remained in Germany for 18 months before returning to England and parish life. In 1948 he became Vicar of St. John Newland, Hull. In 1953 he rejoined the Army as Chaplain to the Royal Norfolk Regiment in Hong Kong and later served as Warden of the Army School of Religious Instruction in Singapore. He finally retired from the Army in 1956. He subsequently served as Rector of Cottingham, and Vicar of Bishopthorpe, both in the Diocese of York. He also served as Chaplain to Donald Duggan, Archbishop of York. Green was consecrated Suffragan Bishop of Aston on 11 May 1972 a position he held until his retirement in 1982. As such he chaired an exorcism study group ‘to keep an eye on the increasing numbers of witches’ covens in the Midlands’. This aside, his pastoral ministry was generally low-key and was responsible for the Aston training scheme for candidates for the Church who had not been to university. Moving in retirement to Sussex, he became an Assistant Bishop of Chichester and served at Christ Church, St. Leonard’s and St. Mary’s, Eastbourne. He died on 2 August 2009.
He published two works, Diary of Doubt and faith (1974) and Before I Go (2005). A copy of the latter is sold with the lot - this with a hand-written dedication, ‘Kevin, Thank you for carrying on this Ministry - in today’s much more difficult climate. Mark. 29 August ‘05’ (some underlining of passages). Also with copied recommendation, obituaries and other research.
x83
A Second World War M.C. group of five attributed to Major E. N. Cook, Lincolnshire Regiment
MILITARY CROSS,
G.VI.R. reverse officially dated ‘1945’ and additionally engraved, ‘Maj. E. N. Cook Arnhem’; 1939-45 STAR; FRANCE AND GERMANY STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS, these unnamed; together with cap badge, very fine (6) £500-600
M.C. London Gazette 12 July 1945.
Recommendation reads: ‘At Arnhem’ ‘At 1000 hrs. on 13th April 1945 Major E. N. Cook of the Lincolnshire Regt. was ordered to clear with his company a large factory which was strongly held by the enemy and entirely dominated one of the main approaches to the town. The entrance to the factory was barricaded and covered by fire from Spandau Machine guns at ground level and snipers on the roofs. Under heavy small arms and grenade fire Major Cook forced an entrance, and his company obtained a footing in the factory. The result could never have been achieved without Major Cook’s fine example of leadership and personal courage. The enemy, who were formed from a training establishment, fought back fanatically. Fighting was at very close quarters and the advantage lay with the defenders as the factory was a maze of buildings filled with crates and stores. Through Major Cook’s skilful handling of his company, and by his own outstanding courage and determination, the enemy posts were gradually outfought and reduced one by one. By nightfall Major Cook had succeeded in clearing the position, and the route into Arnhem was open.’
With copied recommendation.
www.dnw.co.uk
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