Harold Dudman RIP

Kyt · Jun 30, 2009

Harold Dudman: veteran of the Normandy landings | Times Online Obituary

Harold Arthur Dudman was a veteran of the Normandy landings in June 1944 who died on the 65th anniversary of D-Day while revisiting the beachhead on the north French coast.

As a lance corporal in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Dudman landed with an Armoured Replacement Group (ARG) support squadron serving 29th Armoured Brigade, part of 11th Armoured Division. It was the function of the ARG to deliver fully fitted-out tanks to armoured regiments to replace those destroyed or damaged in battle, ideally by first light next day. While this was not achievable on D-Day itself, the support squadron closely followed 29 Brigade when the 11th Armoured Division began going ashore days later.

Dudman, about to drive a replacement Sherman tank on to Sword Beach from his landing craft, saw the vehicle ahead of him disappear into a shell hole beneath the breakers. Pausing to allow the ramp to be raised and the landing craft to move along the beach, he watched naval shells passing overhead in the direction of Caen. Finally ashore, he drove the tank to the ARG laager ready to be called for when required. Later in the campaign, he worked with an armoured recovery unit (ARU) for assessing damaged tanks, often with fatal casualties still inside, for recovery from the battlefield and repair. He continued with these duties throughout the fighting in France to the Seine, in Belgium, the Netherlands and finally into Germany. After the Nazi surrender, his ARU accompanied British troops into Denmark, where they were warmly welcomed.

On return to civilian life Dudman established a steel fabrications firm in North London. He was a Wandsman at S Paul’s Cathedral for more than 20 years and received the freedom of the City of London in recognition of his services to engineering.

Accompanied by his wife, Lesley, he spent June 5 meeting old friends from his regiment and locating the spot where they had landed on Sword Beach 65 years earlier. It was planned that he would receive the commemorative medal from the Mayor of Bayeux on June 6 and join other veterans at lunch, but he died in the early hours.

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Harold Dudman, veteran of the Normandy landings, was born on March 5, 1923. He died on June 6, 2009, aged 86
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Antipodean Andy · Jul 1, 2009

A sad ending but at least he spent his final hours with his mates. RIP.

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Harold Dudman RIP

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