Sgt James Burgess (875571)
James Burgess served as a Gun No1 on 25 pdr Sexton SP guns in 86th Field Regiment RA. 86th Field Regiment RA fought alongside the 101st Airborne Division for a few days during Operation MARKET GARDEN against 21st Panzer Division along Route Club. The following is a précis of that action provided by the GAV:
The Allied advance towards Arnhem was by the road leading northwards through Eindhoven and on to Arnhem; its code name was Route Club. After Eindhoven had been taken by the US 101st Airborne Division, Allied forces continued north from the city along Route Club. Route Club was the principal arterial route for the operation and essential to the operation. However, an attack by 21st Panzer Division interdicted the road north of Eindhoven. 124th Field Regiment RA was moving north at the time and the interdiction separated the Commanding Officer and his recce party, which included the Battery Commanders from the rest of the Regiment who were south of 21st Panzer Division’s attack. Captain Dodsworth, Battery Captain of 288 Battery, 124th Field Regiment, with great initiative swiftly put the guns into action on the right of Route Club. 86th Field Regiment was following the 124th Field Regiment along the axis of advance. When the Commanding Officer of 86th Field Regiment saw the guns of 124th Field Regiment come into action, he followed suit by putting his guns into action on the left of the road. After speaking to Capt Dodsworth, the Commanding Officer of 86th Field Regiment took command of both Regiments and reported to Commander 101st Airborne Division, advising him that he would support the Division. The following day, 101st Airborne Division, supported by the two Artillery Regiments and 44th Royal Tank Regiment, counter-attacked and forced the Germans to withdrawal.
The restoration of Gun 28/183 will permit the GAV to tell the story of the Route Club action involving 86th Field Regiment Royal Artillery. It will also provide further opportunities to tell the story of James Burgess, which includes the award of the Military Medal (MM)