Box 025, folder 01: Hewitt James Murch

MURCH, Hewitt James

Canadian 3rd Can. Div.

Box 25, #1

RCA. Lancer, SAS

For Cornelius Ryan Book about D-day

THOUSANDS OF MEN, ON LAND AND SEA AND IN THE AIR, PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF NORMANDY BETWEEN MIDNIGHT JUNE 5, 1944 AND MIDNIGHT JUNE 6, 1944, IF YOU WERE ONE OF THEM, PLEASE ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS.

What is your full name? HEWITT JAMES MURCH

What was your unit and division? 2nd Cdn. Armoured Bde Signals-attached to the 3rd Cdn Division for Armoured support

Where did you arrive in Normandy, and at what time? Narrow beachhead of [crossed out] Coursualles [end crossed out] Courseulles near Beny-Sur-Mer. approx. 2.30. PM June 6th

What was your rank on June 6, 1944? Signalman

What was your age on June 6, 1944? 23 yrs old

Were you married at that time? no.

What is your wife's name? Pamela Betty Murch- married in England [inserted] Dec [end inserted] 1945

Did you have any children at that time? no

What do you do now? I am a farmer now. own our own farm and live on same with wife and two daughters. Annette 10 yrs old and Donna 3 yrs

When did you know that you were going to be part of the invasion? About April 1944 when extensive training and preparation in mock assault took place-although actual knowledge was not known intil well out in the Channel June 5th

What was the trip like during the crossing of the Channel? Do you remember, for example, any conversations you had or how you passed the time? The crossing was very rough due to heavy seas. I think most of us were amazed at the vast armada of ships taking place in this invasion along with the contined humming of aircraft overhead. Some of the men were quiet, possibly deep in thought but most were pleased that at last this war was going to come to a head and victory would soon be in sight. The main worry of my buddy was finding a place to sleep on board ship that wasn't so darned hot. The two of us finally settled for top deck out in the open.

What were rumors on board the boat, ship or plane in which you nade the crossing? (Some people remember scuttlebut to the effect that the Germans had poured gasoline on ihe water and planned to set it afire when the troops came in). I don't recall any such rumour being spread about the L.S.T. we were on. It was quite possible ther were rumors of the terrible things awaiting us but to the best of my knowledge I can't recall them.

- for Cornelius Ryan 2 -

Your name Hewitt Murch

Did you by any chance keep a diary of what happened to you that day? -no

Were any of your friends killed or wounded either during the landing or during the day? Yes.

Do you remember any conversations you had with them before they became casualties? I don't remember anything outstanding with regards to conversation held immediately before our landing.

Were you wounded? no.

Do you remember what it was like—that is, do you remember whether you felt any pain or were so surprised that you felt nothing?

Do you remember seeing or hearing anything that seems funny now, even though it may not have seemed funny at the time? One thing I remember was the landing of our vehicles-which were placed on a barge which was towed behind our ship. The purpose of this was to enable the heavier equipment to be loaded without endangering the large craft we sailed on. When this was loaded we left the ship and moved toward the beach but unfortunately something went amiss and our transport was grounded halfway between shore & the boat we were a stationary target for enemy aircraft & believe me it was an uncomfortable feeling for some time. Someone had the bright idea to let the large bulldozer off which was well waterproofed & tow us to shore but it sank from sight & the venture was unsuccessful. I often think of this now remembering [inserted] how [end inserted] serious we thought it was at that time but now I can see the funny side of it all. It was a pleasant feeling to be on land again even [crossed out] thought [end crossed out] though it wasn't a very safe place to be at that time either.

Do you recall any incident, sad or heroic or simply memorable, which struck you more than anything else? I imagine one of the things which struck me more than anything else was the unfortunate victims of the first assault who lay dead & wounded on the beaches. It was a sight we never forget & you are truly thankful that you were spared & not one of the fallen. There are many things which linger in my memory from that day but I think prehaps that is the one that is most outstanding I also remember the Padre when he spoke a few words before we left the ship. I imagine it was probably the most attentive congretation he had [crossed out] every [end crossed out] ever spoken too.

- for Cornelius Ryan 3Your name Hewitt Murch

In times of great crisis, people generally show either great ingenuity or self-reliance; others do incredibly stupid things. Do you remember any examples of either from D-day? One thing that really impressed me was the way in which the men adapted themselves to the battle conditions. Everyone had a job to do and it was done without hesitation. Our superior officers were swell chaps and the fine way in which they conducted themselves in battle meant a great deal to the men on this day.

Where were you at midnight on June 5, 1944? Somewhere in the English Channel

Where were you at midnight on June 6, 1944? Not very far from the place of landing working the wireless set maintaining communications

Do you know of anybody else who landed within the 24 hours of D-day, June 6, as infantry, glider or airborne troops, or who took part in the air and sea operations, whom we should write to? I had a great deal of friends in the infantry but unfortunately there were friends made while I was in the service of Her Majesty and when we were discharged from the army all contact has been lost with them. I regret that very much I haven't the home address of these chaps so that we could communicate with each other.

PLEASE LET US HAVE THIS QUESTIONNAIRE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN INCLUDE YOUR EXPERIENCES IN THE BOOK. WE HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE YOUR STORY ON SEPARATE SHEETS IF WE HAVE NOT LEFT SUFFICIENT ROOM. FULL ACKNOWLEDGEMENT WILL BE GIVEN IN A CHAPTER CALLED "WHERE THEY ARE NOW;" YOUR NAME AND VOCATION OR OCCUPATION WILL BE LISTED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.

Cornelius Ryan

Frances Ward Research, The Reader's Digest

Miss Frances Ward Research Dept Readers Digest N.Y NY.

Box 140 Lancer, Sask Canada

Dear Madam. Reference to your letter in the July 1958 issue of Legionary. This is to inform you that I served with the Canadian Army for four years during 2nd World War. Name rank and serial as as follows. L101910 SGM MURCH H.J. I landed in France about Midday June 6th 1944 with the 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade Signals. This outfit was armoured support for the 3rd Canadian Division. I would be pleased to keep in any way I can, your [crossed out] [?compile?] [end of crossed out] efforts to obtain facts about the D. Day campaign.

Yours faithfully Hewitt J. Murch