It was obvious, unless we could quickly get Major Russell to an aid post he too would die. However, until there was a break in the very heavy enemy shelling, any attempt to carry him there would have ended in failure.

While waiting for the shellfire to ease off (it seemed to be ages but probably was only about thirty minutes) suddenly there was a loud bang as Ballyrashane-4's 6-pdr fired an AP shell almost over our heads.

As the barrage slowly grew less intense, about a dozen Germans jumped into the ditch beside us. Thinking we were about to be taken as POWs, to our relief, they were quickly followed by a rifle-carrying Canadian, the Germans were his prisoners. We should have enlisted their help to carry Skipper to safety, but everything happened so suddenly, they were up and out of the ditch before we could ask. Saying that he would be back, quick-thinking Bill Wheatley also jumped out of the ditch to follow the Seaforth Highlander and his prisoners. A short while later he returned having discovered, from another Canadian, the general direction to the nearest aid post about a mile distant.

I cannot recall how far we had carried Skipper before spotting one of our Churchills, but I do remember we were nearly exhausted. Somehow, we gathered enough strength to lift him on to the front of the tank where, with myself holding on to him, we reached safety at last. More importantly, we had arrived in time for Major Russell's life to be saved. Little did I realise that Ballyrashane-5's new Commander and I would be making another such journey, just over four months later, with a less happy outcome.

Within minutes, transport arrived to take us back to 'B' Squadron's Echelon where Corporal Stevenson cheered us up with mugs of hot sweet tea - never had the Army brew tasted so good! Later, SQMS Burke kitted us out with much of what we had lost, as he did for those of the Squadron who trickled back during the remainder of the day.

Wednesday, 24th May 1944

Despite the serious losses sustained during yesterday's battle, word came down that replacement tanks, some Shermans, would be immediately forthcoming. Sure enough, within a few hours our new Ballyrashane, a Churchill Mark IV, had arrived. Yours truly was told, until the arrival of 'B' Squadron's new OC, he was to be acting commander!

On the same day, Brigadier Tetley, published an Exchange of Messages between Canadian Corps, Division and Brigade Commanders and 25 ATB. Later in the year, we all received a reprint of two articles published, in the Belfast Telegraph, on the 24th and 26th June, entitled Award of the Maple Leaf. About the same time we also received a silver Maple Leaf to be worn on the right shoulder of our uniforms. The Maple Leaf was inserted in the diabolo, on 25th ATB's yellow and red shield. However, although the insignia was amended on some of the echelon vehicles, I cannot recall the Maple Leaf being added to the insignia on any of 'B' Squadron's tanks - with the constant flow of replacements there was little opportunity so to do.