"Captain Jamieson was in command of a Company of The Royal Norfolk Regiment which established a bridgehead over the River Orne, south of Grimbosq, in Normandy.
On August 7th, 1944, the enemy made three counter-attacks which were
repulsed with heavy losses. The last of these took place at 1830 hours
when a German Battle Group with Tiger and Panther
tanks attacked and the brunt of the fighting fell on Captain Jamieson's
Company. Continuous heavy fighting ensued for more than four hours
until the enemy were driven off, after suffering severe casualties and
the loss of three tanks and an armored car accounted for by this
Company. Throughout these actions,Captain Jamieson displayed
outstanding courage and leadership, which had a decisive influence on
the course of the battle and resulted in the defeat of these determined
enemy attacks. On the morning of August 8th the enemy attacked with a
fresh Battle Group and succeeded in penetrating the defenses surrounding
the Company on three sides. During this attack two of the three tanks
in support of the Company were destroyed and Captain Jamieson left his
trench under close range fire from enemy arms of all kinds and went over
to direct the fire of the remaining tank, but as he could not get into
touch with the commander of the tank by the outside telephone, he
climbed upon it in full view of the enemy. During this period Captain
Jamieson was wounded in the right eye and left forearm but when his
wounds were dressed he refused to be evacuated. By this time all the
other officers had become casualties so Captain Jamieson reorganized his
Company, regardless of personal safety, walking amongst his men in full
view of the enemy, as there was no cover. After several hours of
bitter and confused fighting, the last Germans were driven from the
Company position. The enemy counter-attacked the Company three more
times during that day with infantry and tanks. Captain Jamieson
continued in command, arranging for artillery support over his wireless
and going out into the open on each occasion to encourage his men. By
the evening the Germans had withdrawn, leaving a ring of dead and burnt
out tanks round his position. Throughout this thirty-six hours of
bitter and close fighting, and despite the pain of his wounds, Captain
Jamieson showed superb qualities of leadership and great personal
bravery. There were times when the position appeared hopeless, but on
each occasion it was restored by his coolness and determination. He
personally was largely responsible for the holding of this important
bridgehead over the River Orne and there pulse of seven German
counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy."
From Capt. Jamieson's Victoria Cross citation, awarded on 26 October 1944.
May you be at peace,
Brian
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