Military Provost Staff Corps

Soldier Details:

Surname: Runacres

Initials: C.S.

Rank: Corporal

Army No.: 5947036

Notes: CMP. Formerly Beds & Herts Regt. 6 Airborne Div Pro Coy. Unit War Diary WO 171/436. 19/7/44 Cpl Runacres reported in civilian clothes having been taken prisoner on D Day and later escaped to British lines from Caen. Casualty List, 1488 missing, North West Europe 6/6/1944, 6 Airborne Division Pro Coy. Casualty List 1514, North West Europe, reported missing now reported not missing, attached 6 Airborne Div pro Coy, previous List 1488, 6/6/1944.. Casualty List 1544, North West Europe, Wounded, date not reported, 6 Airborne Div Pro Coy.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (2)

1. Decoration: French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star

Gazette Date: None

Gazette Issue: WO 373

Gazette Page: 186

Citation: France. Citation for Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star: Corporal Runacres showed great resource and initiative although injured in escaping from a German Guard on D.Day 6th June 1944, after being dropped by parachute well into enemy territory and eventually returning to our own lines with much valuable information. He was a member of a stick of parachutist dropped North of ANNEBAULT and was captured by the Germans after he had injured himself by falling down a well. He escaped by knocking out his guards and made his way into CAEN where he contacted the French Resistance Movement. Corporal Runacres was operated on in a French hospital and then after the British bombing of CAEN decided to break through the German Lines and rejoin his Unit. This he did on the 19th July 1944. He supplied much valuable information of enemy movements and positions, and although still suffering from his injuries refused to be evacuated and remained serving with his Unit until it was finally withdrawn from the line on the 28th August 1944. Capt OC 6th Airborne Div Pro Coy. Brig Comd 6 Airborne Div. Maj-Gen R n Gale Comd Airborne Corps. National Archive WO 373/186.

2. Decoration: Mention in Despatches

Gazette Date: 1944-11-09

Gazette Issue: 36785

Gazette Page: 5132

Citation: Normandy. Citation not found.

Surname:	Runacres
Initials:	C.S.
Rank:	Corporal
Army No.:	5947036
Notes:	CMP. Formerly Beds & Herts Regt. 6 Airborne Div Pro Coy. Unit War Diary WO 171/436. 19/7/44 Cpl Runacres reported in civilian clothes having been taken prisoner on D Day and later escaped to British lines from Caen. Casualty List, 1488 missing, North West Europe 6/6/1944, 6 Airborne Division Pro Coy. Casualty List 1514, North West Europe, reported missing now reported not missing, attached 6 Airborne Div pro Coy, previous List 1488, 6/6/1944.. Casualty List 1544, North West Europe, Wounded, date not reported, 6 Airborne Div Pro Coy.