Lance Sergeant Charles R McIlhargey

Lance Sergeant Charles Rutherford McIlhargey was the son of Patrick and Christine McIlhargey, and the husband of Winifred Mary McIlhargey, of Langport, Somerset. He served with 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion and took part in the Normandy campaign. Having previously enlisted with The Cameronian (Scottish Rifles) and 151 Para Bn.

Lance Sergeant McIlhargey died during the conflict between 25-27 August 1944, aged 29 years old. He is now buried at Vatteville-la-Rue Churchyard, near Caudebac, Normandy.

It is likely that McIlhargey was one of the 3 men reported missing 25 August 1944. The location of Beuzeville, where he was most likely wounded, is around 30 miles from where he is now buried. It is possible that he was wounded, taken prisoner, and transported by the Germans to Vatteville where he died in a medical facility. He is 1 of 3 Army casualties buried in the communal churchyard. 

McIlhargey's death is recorded as uncertain in the 8th Parachute Battalion roll of honour (25th or 27th August 1944). When men of the battalion returned to ask locals what happened to the prisoners and injured left behind in Beuzeville, a Madame Bouden offered this account:

On Sunday 27th August at approx 2000 hrs the above named British Parachutists [Robert Box and Charles McIlhargey] were brought to the village by a Cpl of the German Army and held in the house owned by Mr Bouden. A few hours later, they were taken down the road by the Cpl (who by a statement of Madame had already treated them brutally), 200 yds further down the road, the Cpl was met by a Capt who gave the order for the prisoners to be shot. The following morning Mr Bouden buried both of them in a nearby field, where the brutal crime was committed.

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