Lieutenant-Colonel A.E. Green
6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry

The dash and vigour displayed in this attack and the excellent information which was being continuously passed back as it progressed was due to the magnificent leadership and control of Lt Col Green, and by his energy and enthusiasm inspired all ranks of his Bn and thus ensured the complete success of the operation.

(D.S.O. citation, 1 March 1945)

Born on 24 December 1908 in Hastings, Sussex, Arthur Ernest Green was a commissioned officer with the Middlesex Regiment since 1929. He was promoted to captain in 1937 and became battalion adjutant two years later. In September 1943, succeeded Lieutenant-Colonel W.I. Watson in command of the 6th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry just as the unit along with the 50th Division was recalled to the United Kingdom.

After nine months of preparation and training, the battalion readied itself to join the invasion of Normandy. The day before the assault was to begin, Green fell ill from malaria presumably contracted during the Mediterranean campaign. Second-in-command Major W.L. Wood led the battalion until mid-June when Green rejoined from hospital.

For command during the Normandy breakout operations in early August 1944, Green received the D.S.O. Before a planned assault, as the assembly positions sustained heavy shelling, “Lt Col Green, realising that any delay would mean that the Bn would not reach the Start Line in time, moved up and down the forward sloped oblivious of enemy fire urging his men forward.” He was wounded in the arm by a shell splinter on 10 September and again succeeded by Major G.L. Wood.

Postwar, Green command the 7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment in the early 1950s. He ended his army career at the rank of brigadier and died on 10 June 1978 in Babcary, Somerset.