WW2 Arnhem Related Operation Market Garden Casualty Medal Group of Five – L.Cpl. J. Doyle, 3rd Bn. Irish Guards – K.I.A.

A GSM (Palestine and second world war Operation Market Garden casualty group to 2718840 Lance Corporal John Doyle, 3rd Bn. Irish Guards. 

General Service Medal (Clasp – Palestine) named to 27188840 Gdsmn, J. Doyle. I. Gds. 
1939-45 Star unnamed as issued 
France & Germany Star unnamed as issued 
WW2 Defence Medal unnamed as issued 
1939-45 War Medal unnamed as issued 

Killed In Action – 22nd September 1944 (Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery) 

The GSM appears to have had an official correction to his rank. Please see photos. The medals are in good condition. 

Following the liberation of Brussels, the Irish Guards pushed into north-east Belgium in the face of stiffening resistance and reached the Dutch border on the evening of 10 September, capturing the strategically vital Joe’s Bridge in a daring surprise assault. The Irish Guards were then chosen to be part of the ground force of Operation Market Garden, ‘Market’ being the airborne assault and ‘Garden’ the ground attack, which one of the most ambitious operations of the entire war and designed to enable a swift advance into Germany by capturing vital bridges over the River Rhine. The Irish Guards Group were commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel “JOE” Vandeleur. The 2nd Irish Guards led XXX Corps in their advance towards Arnhem, which was the objective of the British 1st Airborne Division, furthest from XXX Corps’ start line.[55]

Operation Market Garden opened on the afternoon of 17 September with the dropping of three Allied Airborne divisions behind the German line. XXX Corps crossed the Belgian-Dutch border 15:00 hours, advancing from Neerpelt, but met very heavy resistance from German forces prepared with anti-tank weapons and most of the tanks in the initial troops were hit and destroyed. After Hawker Typhoons were called in to provide the Irish Guards aerial support, the Guardsmen moved forward to clear the German positions, manned by elements from two German parachute battalions and two battalions of the 9th SS Panzer Division and soon routed the German forces flanking the road.[56] The fighting soon died down and the Irish Guards were able to advance and occupy Valkenswaard[57] Despite the progress of XXX Corps, the unexpected resistance meant that the advance was already much slower than planned. Early on the 18th September, reconnaissance units of the Guards Armoured Division made contact with the U.S. 101st Airborne Division who had liberated Eindhoven, with the rest of XXX Corps reaching the city later that day. The Irish Guards now camped outside Son while the Royal Engineers built a Bailey bridge over the Wilhelmina Canal so that XXX Corps could advance to Nijmegen. The bridge was completed early on the 19th September and XXX Corps continued their advance.[58] Later that day the Guards Division, still led by the 2nd Irish Guards, reached Nijmegen where the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division was located. Their advance had to be halted, however, for the 82nd had failed to take the bridge due to heavy German resistance. The bridge was finally captured on the evening of the 20th but the Irish Guards and the rest of the Guards Armoured Division were now scattered over 25 square miles trying to secure Nijmegen itself and defend their rear from constant German attacks.[59] On the 21st, the British 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem, heavily outnumbered and outgunned, had to surrender after many days fighting that saw true heroism and courage. XXX Corps had been just an hour from the bridge at Arnhem but had to wait for the arrival of the 43rd (Wessex) Infantry Division before they could advance. The Irish Guards took part in further fighting until the 25th September when the remnants of the 1st Airborne Division were evacuated across the Rhine.

Doyle was one of six men who were killed on 22nd Sept 1944 when a house in which Bn HQ was situated was burnt to the ground after shelling in the area. 21 O/Rs were also wounded and one missing. Capt. G.S. Corbett was wounded by a shell splinter. 

Comes with some research including copies of the war diaries.

Regiment: Irish Guards

Era: WW2