Francis Eric Ayres

This story is shared by the Trust with kind permission from John Hamblin, Researcher.

Francis Eric Ayres, Sapper 2158182 999th Docks Operating Company, Royal Engineers.
Killed in action on the 7th of June 1944, aged 22.

Francis Eric Ayres was born at Stanhoe, Norfolk on the 1st of September 1921, the elder son of Arthur Ayres, a farm labourer, and Daisy Ayres (née James)  of The Green, Docking Road, Stanhoe. He was christened at All Saints’ Church, Stanhoe on the 13th of November 1921. He worked as a farm labourer before enlisting into the Royal Engineers.

He embarked for the invasion of Normandy on the 5th of June 1944 with ninety one other men under the command of Captain A.E. Yeo and Lieutenant W.O. Robinson as "Serial 607". Their mission on arrival at the beachhead was to dig in and to rest up before using two DUKWS to unload some coasters which were carrying supplies for the landings and were due to arrive offshore later in the day.

The party landed under shellfire on Sword Beach in an LCI(L) at H Hour +11½ hours, with more men from the company coming ashore later in the day. The unloading began at 11pm that night. During the night Francis Ayres and three other men were drowned during the unloading operations.

In spite of being under continuous enemy shellfire, the 999th Docks Operating Company successfully landed 819 tons of supplies.

Franci Ayres is buried at Hermanville War Cemetery, Plot 3, Row F, Grave 14 and he is commemorated on the war memorial at Stanhoe.

British Normandy Memorial - Additional Information

Unfortunately, we do not have a photo of Francis Ayres. If you are aware of one or you are related to Francis we would love to hear from you so we can add to his story.