Lieutenant James Mutch was the son of James and Wilhemina Mutch, and husband of Jeanne Mutch, of Hayle, Cornwall. He served with 19th Beach Signals, Royal Corps of Signals and took part in operations in Normandy after the D-Day landings where War Diary records indicate he transferred to 6th Airborne Divisional Signals, probably in July 1944.
In late July, he was travelling with the CO, Lt Col Smallman-Tew to Brigade Signal Section (K) at Le Mesnil, by airborne jeep. Lt Col Smallman-Tew, Lt Mutch and their driver were killed when a German mortar shell hit their vehicle near Escoville.
The 6th Airborne Divisional Signal War Diary records the following:
22nd July 1944
Lt. Col. D. Smallman Tew, Commanding Officer, killed by direct hit from shell on jeep at ESCOVILLE. Canadian ASSU tcle arrived with LO and C9. Col. Moberly CSO Airtps visited unit. Cas: Lt. Col. Tew and Lt Mutch killed.
Lieutenant Mutch died on 22 July 1944, aged 27 years old. He is now buried at Ranville War Cemetery, Normandy.
Profile compiled with assistance from Phil Jennett
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