Stanley Tozer

Stan landed in Normandy on approximately 24th June 1944. He travelled through France and ended up in Brecht Belgium.

On the 20th October 1944 he was hit by a sniper hidden in a farmhouse and was badly injured all down the  right side of his body.

His two fellow officers Lieutenant Francis Derek Crane of Chilwell Nottinghamshire and Lieutenant Trevor Pugh Bevan of Cymmer Gloucestershire both died at the scene. All three from 2nd Bn South Wales Borderers. 

Fortunately a passing tank found Stan and transferred him first to a field hospital and then via Preston to Winwick nr Warrington to a former mental asylum where he stayed for 18 months.

There was talk of amputating his right leg but a Doctor insisted on trying a new wonder drug called Penicillin with the result of his leg being saved. From then on his right ankle was fixed, meaning he had no movement in his foot and only 30 degrees bend in his knee.  In 2014 he was awarded the Lord Mayor’s medal for over 76 years service to the Royal British Legion. Then on 9th February 2016 awarded with the Chevalier de la Legion.