Private John McAra

Private John McAra, son of John and Jean Coutts McAra, of Glasgow, originally enlisted with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) before transferring to 3 Platoon, A Coy, 7th (Light Infantry) Parachute Battalion. He took part in the Normandy campaign, during Op Overlord.

Private McAra was one of the first men of the 7th Battalion to be killed. Having joined the rest of the platoon at the RV, they advanced on Benouville. When Lt Hunter heard Germans speaking on the other side of a hedge at the southern end of the village, he ordered McAra (who was a small man) to try and look through a small hole in the hedge. McAra went through the hedge and was killed by the Germans on the other side.

Private McAra died on 6 June 1944, aged 29 years old. He is now buried at Benouville Churchyard, Normandy.

Churchyard photograph reproduced by kind permission of CWGC.