Captain David Jamieson won the Victoria Cross for the magnificant leadership and courage he displayed in the desperate battle for the bridgehead on the River Orne in Normandy, which had been gained in August 1944 by the men of The Royal Norfolk Regiment during the breakout after the D-Day landings.

In a dangerous period, during which his company was repeatedly assaulted by overwhelmingly powerful German armoured forces, Jamieson kept a cool head and displayed resolve and tactical skills which, over a period of 36 hours, held the Norfolk's hard-won position and eventually repulsed the enemy's tanks.

For the award of the Victoria Cross

[ London Gazette, 26 October 1944 ] River Orne, Grimbosq, France, 7 - 8 August 1944, Captain David Auldgo Jamieson, Royal Norfolk Regiment

Captain Jamieson was in command of a Company of The Royal Norfolk Regiment which established a bridgehead over the River Orne, south of Grimbosq in Normandy. On 7th August 1944 the enemy made three counter-attacks which were repulsed with heavy losses. The last of these took place at 18:30 hours when a German Battle Group with Tiger and Panther tanks attacked and the brunt of the fighting fell on Captain Jamieson's Company. Continuous heavy fighting ensured for more than four hours until the enemy were driven off, after suffering severe casualties and the loss of three tanks and an armoured car accounted for by this Company. Throughout these actions, Captain Jamieson displayed outstanding courage and leadership, which had a decisive influence on the course of the battle and resulted in the defeat of these determined enemy attacks.

On the morning of 8th August, the enemy attacked with a fresh Battle Group and succeeded in penetrating the defences surrounding the Company on three sides. During this attack two of the three tanks in support of the Comapny were destroyed and Captain Jamieson left his trench under close range fire from enemy arms of all kinds and went over to direct the fire of the remaining tank, but as he could not get in touch with the commander of the tank by the outside telephone, he climbed upon it in full view of the enemy. During this period Captain Jamieson was wounded in the right eye and left forearm but when his wounds were dressed he refused to be evacuated. By this time all the other officers had become casualties so Captain Jamieson reorganised his Company, regardless of personal safety, walking amongst his men in full view of the enemy, as there was no cover.

The enemy counter-attacked the Company three more times during that day with infantry and tanks. Captain Jamieson continued in command, arranging for artillery support over his wireless and going out into the open on each occasion to encourage his men. By the evening the Germans had withdrawn, leaving a ring of dead and burnt out tanks round his position.

Throughout this thirty-six hours of bitter and close fighting, and despite the pain of his wounds, Captain Jamieson showed superb qualities of leadership and great personal bravery. There were times when the position appeared hopeless, but on each occasion it was restored by his coolness and determination. He personally was largely responsible for the holding of this important bridgehead over the River Orne and the repulse of seven German counter-attacks with great loss to the enemy.

David Jamieson was invested with his Victoria Cross by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on the 22nd November 1944.

Medal entitlement of Major David Jamieson - Royal Norfolk Regiment

• Victoria Cross
• Commander, Royal Victoria Order ( CVO )
• 1939-45 Star
• France & Germany Star
• Defence Medal ( 1939-45 )
• War Medal ( 1939-45 )
• Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal ( 1953 )
• Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal ( 1977 )