top of page

David Auldjo Jamieson VC, CVO  1st October 1920-5th May 2001

Jamieson from IWM.jpg



David Jamieson was born in Westminster. His father was Sir Archilbald Auldjo Jamieson who was Chairman of engineering company Vickers-Armstrong. His time spent in the family holiday home in Norfolk led to his  enlistment as a volunteer in a Royal Norfolf Regiment TA unit in Dersingham in 1939. He eventually joined the Regiment's 7th Battalion as a 2nd Lieutenant, serving in the French Campaign of 1940, although to use his own words:

"We ran away, really..."
A shake up of the battalion back in England saw him placed as 'D' Company's Second in Command, a role he still fulfilled when the battalion, as part of 59th (Staffordshire) Division, landed in Normandy in July 1944. Jamieson's Company Commander, Freddy Crocker, was LOB* for the Orne Bridgehead operation, having been wounded in Epron a few weeks earlier. Thus Jamieson led 'D' Company, literally as it turned out, as they crossed the Orne.

​

*Left Out of Battle

 

Arhcer painting.png

Evocative and dramatic painting by Peter Archer of Capt. Jamieson aboard a Churchill of 107 RAC. Shortly after the moment depicted, the tank was hit and Jamieson wounded.

Jamieson's Victoria Cross citation as published in the London Gazette.

War Office, 26th October, 1944.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:

Captain David Jamieson. (90577), The Royal Norfolk Regiment (King's Lynn, Norfolk).


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 August 7th, 1944, the enemy made three counter-attacks which were repulsed with heavy losses. The last of these took place at 1830 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 ensued 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 August 8th 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 Company were destroyed and CaptainJamieson 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 into 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. After several hours of bitter and confused fighting, the last Germans were driven from the Company position.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.

20190125_144648.jpg

Jamieson's medals and revolver on display in Norwich Castle.

Jamieson portrait from Imperial War Museum ref: IWM HU 2004
bottom of page