On this day 6 June 2024, we join with the nation to commemorate the 80 years of the D-Day landings culminating in the liberation of Normandy. We take this time to remember those who gave their lives for our freedom,  including members of the Inns of Court Regiment .

The Inns of Court Regiment was the Armoured Car Regiment with the British 1st Corps from D-Day, 6 June 1944, to 31 August 1944.

The “C” Squadron landed on the Normandy beaches from two tank landing craft at 0830 hours. One of the craft struck a mine, four vehicles were lost and a sergeant was wounded. By 1500 hours the troops had crossed the River Seulles. Colonel Bingley would be awarded a Distinguished Service Order (DSO) for leading the Regiment on D-Day.

The Corps Commander sent the following message to Col. Bingley when the regiment was transferred: “Please convey to all ranks my great satisfaction in having the Inns of Court Armoured Car Regiment as a Unit in this Corps. They came with a fine record second to none and I feel confident their fighting qualities will prove supreme in the operations which lie before them”.

The remainder of the Regiment arrived in Normandy at the end of June and were involved in the Battle for Caen – they were the first troops to enter Caen on 9 July 1944. The Regiment was engaged in further reconnaissance and armoured operations in the following two months.

A letter received from an Officer of the Headquarters Staff of the 1st Corps described the Regiment as having “covered themselves in glory and are spoken of with bated breath in these parts. They are notorious for their bold and most effective reconnaissance right into the enemy lines”.

A report produced for the Inn at the end of August 1944 commemorated those who lost their lives from the Regiment: “These results were not achieved without cost; 11 Officers and 32 other ranks had lost their lives and 8 Officers and 48 other ranks had been wounded. Awards announced for gallantry in the operations of the 6th, 7th and 8th June are two Military Crosses – Capt. S. H. Gill and Lt. R. Wigram (since killed in action), and 4 Military Medals – Sergeants Wright, McQuistan and Greenaway and Corporal Fowler.