Lance Corporal John GRANT (282279)
7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders

Date of birth: 1st January 1920
Date of death: 26th June 1944

Killed in action aged 24
Buried at St Manvieu War Cemetery at Cheux Plot IV Row D Grave 5
John Grant was born in Moray the son of John Grant and Annie (nee Robertson) Grant of Crofthead, Carron. Before the war he worked with his father and had served as a territorial soldier.

The 7th Battalion Seaforth Highlanders sailed from Newhaven for Normandy on the 16th of June 1944 some ten days after the Allied invasion. The battalion and its vehicles were in position in Normandy on the 24th of June, when they crossed the Odon River and moved into position for an attack as part of Operation Epsom, part of the battle to encircle Caen where British forces had been held up since the invasion.

On the 25th of June they moved up to the start line at Les Mesnil-Dugin for the attack. They were detailed to attack the following morning and seize an enemy held position known as "Ring 100" after the 2nd Glasgow Highlanders and the 9th Cameronians had taken Cheux.

On the morning of the 26th of June the battalion crossed the ground which was boggy due to heavy rain over previous days with a heavy mist making for poor visibility. At the start of the attack, A and D Companies dealt with a number of Germans and a minefield and at 2.30pm the attack on "Ring 100", began. A Company cleared the woods at Cheux while B Company advanced to Eterville Ridge on their left flank. Both ran into heavy fire. Despite this they managed to establish a good position on the crest of the ridge by the end of the day.

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