TRACY, Cecil Francis
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Rank:
Lieutenant (later Major)
Unit / Base:
4 Commando
Regiment/Corps:
Royal Engineers
Service:
Army
Number:
95078
Honours & Awards:
Born:
Friday, October 17, 1919
Birthplace:
Pangbourne, Berkshire
Died :
Sunday, May 23, 1971
Age:
51
Education
Swanbourne House; Nautical College, Pangbourne 1933-1936; Stowe School 1936-1938.
Service timeline
28.01.1938 Cadet, RMA, Woolwich.
01.07.1939 No.1 Training Bn., RE.
13.02.1940 No.4 Training Bn., RE.
03.06.1940 4 Division, RE.
20.07.1940 Lieutenant, No.4 Commando. Participated in Operation Claymore.
31.03.1941 43 Division RE.
17.06.1941 HQ Auxiliary Units.
14.10.1942 Captain, assessed for SOE on the recommendation of Auxiliary Units.
10.11.1942 posted to SOE as Liaison Officer with rank of Acting Major, liaising between SOE and the Chief of Combined Operations in relation to the Small Scale Raiding Force.
03.06.1943 posted back to unit when SSRF absorbed into 2 SAS.
08.06.1943 posted War Office.
14.11.1943 Captain, Troop Commander, 1 Troop, 80 Assault Sqn., 5 Assault Regt. RE. 79 Armoured Divn.
06.06.1944 commanded a half squadron of 80 Assault Sqn., landing on Juno Beach, Nan White sector.
07.08.1944 posted 78 Assault Sqn., RE, operating in support of 2 Canadian Infantry Divn., for Operation Totalize, an armoured assault on the German positions southeast of Caen. Awarded the Military Cross in recognition of gallant and distinguished service, his quick decisions and decisive actions under enemy fire ensuring the armoured column could advance.
Post war served in the Ministry of Defence at a Military Experimental Station, concerned with bridge design. He took a Technical Staff Officer's Course at the Military College of Science at Shrivenham later becoming a lecturer there.
01.07.1952 promoted substantive rank of Major.
1954-1957 served in Korea.
29.03.1958 retired from service.
Sources
SOE File with photos / National Archives ref. HS9/1480/5.
Recommendations for Honours and Awards / National Archives file WO373/49/639.
London Gazette entries 36850, page 5855 (MC); 37635, page 3369 (Captain); 39585, page 3574 (Major); 41346, page 1988 (retires).
[Image and documents] His great nephew Tom Potter.
Photo of Commando in Gallery:
Yes
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