Donald James Tancock – Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 9th Battalion
Corporal Donald James Tancock – Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 9th Battalion
Birth and Family Background
Donald James Tancock was born in 1912 at Swansea.
He was the son of James Henry Tancock and Rosina Bennett, who were married in 1911 at Barnstaple, Devon.
Early Life
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| 1921 Census |
The 1921 Census records the Tancock family residing at Mayhill, Townhill, Swansea. James Henry Tancock, aged 30 and born in Devon, was employed as a blast furnace worker with Baldwins Ltd, at the Landore Iron and Steel Works, Swansea. His wife Rosina, aged 26, also born in Devon, undertook household duties. Their children were Beatrice May, 10; Donald James, 9; Claude, 5, all attending school; and Lawrence, aged 2.
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| 1939 Register |
By the time of the 1939 Register, the family were living at 17 Nicander Parade, Mayhill. James Henry was employed as a general labourer (heavy worker), while Rosina undertook domestic duties. Donald James and Leslie C. were both recorded as general labourers (heavy workers), and Gwyneth was employed as a grocery shop assistant.
Military Service
Donald served with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles),
attaining the rank of Corporal. He was posted to the 9th Battalion,
which took part in the final Allied campaigns in north-west Europe.
Cameronians (Scottish Rifles), 9th Battalion 8th February 1945 – North-West Europe Campaign
On 8th February 1945, the 9th
Battalion, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was engaged in the opening
phase of Operation Veritable, the major Allied offensive launched to clear
the Reichswald Forest and break through German defences west of the River
Rhine. This operation marked the beginning of the final Allied advance
into Germany.
The Reichswald area, near the Dutch–German border,
was a heavily wooded and strongly fortified region that the German Army had
prepared in depth. The terrain was extremely difficult, consisting of dense
forest, flooded ground, narrow tracks, and extensive minefields, all of
which severely restricted movement and visibility.
Battalion Role and Conditions
As an infantry battalion, the 9th Cameronians
were tasked with frontal assault and clearance operations, advancing
through forested ground under intense enemy fire. Infantry units bore
the brunt of the fighting, often moving forward on foot through mud and
waterlogged terrain while under artillery, mortar, and machine-gun fire.
The opening day of Operation Veritable was preceded
by one of the heaviest artillery bombardments of the war, yet German
resistance remained determined. As the infantry advanced into the forest,
progress was slow and casualties were heavy, particularly among non-commissioned
officers, who were responsible for leading sections and platoons forward
under fire.
Casualties on 8th February 1945
Losses on 8th February 1945 were
especially severe across all units involved in the Reichswald fighting. Many
soldiers were killed or wounded by artillery and mortar fire, machine-gun
positions concealed within the woodland, mines and booby traps, and close-quarters
fighting in conditions of poor visibility.
The nature of the terrain meant that casualties were often
difficult to recover immediately, and many soldiers who fell during these
actions are now buried in cemeteries such as the Reichswald Forest War
Cemetery.
Death and Commemoration
Corporal Donald James Tancock was killed in action
on 8th February 1945, during the opening day of Operation
Veritable. As a front-line NCO, his role would have placed him at the
forefront of the assault, carrying exceptional risk.Donald James Tancock
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany
credit - findagrave
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