So I was very pleased, when two weeks ago I Had the first of many 'phone conversations with Mr (Major) Jack Cunis M.C. Especially so as Jack was attached to 177Bty which I knew little about.(see photo)

Like the majority of soldiers he was reticent on many points, but also interested in much of the information I had accumulated over the years in connection with his old comrades.

He told me that he enlisted into The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) in 1938, and after attending OCTU(Officer Training Corps) was quickly promoted to Captain and posted to Gibraltar, where he rose to the rank of major. In August 1943 he was reduced to the rank of Captain and on his way to join 181 Field Regt in Northumberland.

He had to explain to the C/O, Lt.Col Devereux that he was not experienced in Field Artillery and attended a course at Salisbury. He was then posted to 177 Bty as
A Troop leader. He sailed for France with the Regiment on D-Day+6.

He told me that he was actually talking to A Troop Commander Captain Cory-Wright on the 21-set when Cory-Wright was killed, on the first day in action (June 26th 1944).

Following this tragedy Jack took command of A Troop himself and led it until the end of hostilities. After the fighting, towards the end of 1945, he was promoted to Major once again and given peace-time command of 179 Bty.

He was able to recall many members of 177 Bty. Including Roger ward MC., Frank Whipp MID. George Monroe. Names that were familiar to me, but that I couldn't place within the Regiment.