Bombardier 824983, 62 Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery. Died 11/08/1944. Age 32.

 

Born 4th February 1912 the eldest son of Oliver Bristow and Eveline Mary nee Andrews at Felixstowe. His brother William was born in 1914 shortly before the death of their father who had been medically discharged from the Corps of Military Police in 1913. Their mother went on to marry Walter Bird the following year who was then killed in action while serving with the Border Regiment 3rd July 1916. Eveline appears to have married twice further & had three more children before she appears to have died in 1925 aged 34. His brother William was living at 18 Victoria Street, Felixstowe in 1939.

 

The 62nd Anti-Tank Regiment, consisting of 4 Batteries landed at Sword & Juno beaches during Operation Overlord (4 June 1944) supporting the 7th Canadian Infantry Brigade & 3rd Canadian Divisions. On the 8th July the 245 Battery engaged with 20 to 30 Panzer IV and Panther tanks, destroying 13 at the loss of 6 Achilles tanks (4 of which were later recovered). This was the most celebrated anti-tank action of the campaign. After the capture of Caen the 4 batteries were widely scattered for the remainder of the Normandy campaign. They later continued serving under the 1st Canadian Army. Ernest was killed in action 11th August 1944 & is buried at Bretteville-Sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery.