Important persons
Major David Peel
3rd Bn. Irish Guards
Major Peel was the commanding officer assigned to capture the bridge at Lommel over the Maas-Schelde Canal. Following the successful capture, he was immediately recommended for the Military Cross. However, he would receive this medal posthumously, as he was killed just one day after the bridge’s capture when the Germans launched a counterattack.
Captain Hughjohn Ripman
R.A.M.C. attched to the Irish Guards
Captain Ripman was the field doctor for the Irish Guards. Together with a team of stretcher bearers and some vehicles, he managed the evacuation of the wounded and provided first aid. He also tried to help Major Peel, a close friend, when Peel was fatally wounded. Major Peel died in his presence. Hughjohn was a pillar of support for many Irish Guards.
Fl. Lieutenant Donald Love
R.A.F.
Flight Lieutenant Donald Love was a fighter pilot. When he learned that there was a need for people to direct aircraft from the ground for the Guards Armoured Division, he immediately volunteered for the mission. During the battles along the road to Valkenswaard, he directed the Typhoons to their targets. After the fighting, he mentioned that he felt safer as a pilot.
Lt-Colonel John Ormsby Evelyn Vandeleur
3rd Bn. Irish Guards
Lieutenant Colonel John Vandeleur, better known to his men as Joe, was the commander of the 3rd Battalion Irish Guards. He led the regiment from Normandy to the Netherlands. He was a tough but beloved leader who was unafraid to make bold decisions. The bridge over the Maas-Schelde Canal that was captured was named in his honor: “Joe’s Bridge.”
Captain Ronald David Hutton
Royal Engineers attached to the Irish Guards
Captain Hutton was the commander of a team of sappers who always traveled with the headquarters of the Irish Guards. The men were also known as Joe’s men. During the assault on the bridge over the Maas-Schelde Canal, he was tasked with removing the explosives from the bridge to prevent the Germans from blowing it up. For this action, he was awarded the Military Cross.
Sergeant Bertie Cowan
2nd Bn. Irish Guards
Sergeant Cowan was the commander of a Sherman tank from the Irish Guards. During the fighting along the road to Valkenswaard, he managed to disable a German motorized gun. He captured the crew and forced them to board his tank. He threatened them with his pistol and demanded that they point out the locations of other gun positions. With the help of these prisoners, Sergeant Cowan was able to take 40 enemy soldiers captive that day.