The SD&G landed in Normandy on D-Day and was the first regiment
to enter Caen, reaching the centre of the city at 1300 hours, 9 July 1944.
Fifty-five days later, 112 SD&G had been killed in action and 312 more
wounded in the Falaise Gap. The Regiment fought across France via
Rouen, Eu, Le Hamel and Boulogne, moved into Holland and took part
in the amphibious landing across the Savojaards Plaat, and advanced
to Knokke by way of Breskens. It moved next to Nijmegen to relieve
the airborne troops, and helped guard the bridge while the Rhine
crossing was prepared. The Regiment then fought through the
Hochwald and north to cross the Eros River and take the city of
Leer. VE Day found the SD&G near Emden.
It was said of the Regiment that it "never failed to take an objective;
never lost a yard of ground; never lost a man taken prisoner in
offensive action." Altogether 3,342 officers and men served overseas
with the SD&G, of whom 278 were killed and 781 wounded; 74
decorations and 25 battle honours were awarded. A total of 3,418
officers and men served in the 2nd Battalion (Reserve); of them, 1,882
went on active service and 27 were killed. A third battalion raised in
July 1945 served in the occupation of Germany and was disbanded
in May 1946.
