Cyril Bassett

Sapper Cyril Bassett of the Royal Engineers was among the first wave of troops to land on Gold Beach on D-Day, 6 June 1944. His unit was tasked with clearing mines and obstacles from the beach to allow tanks and vehicles to move inland. Working under constant fire, Cyril and his fellow sappers cleared lanes through the minefields that saved countless lives. He was killed in action near Caen in July 1944, aged 29. His family in Birmingham received his medals posthumously. His sacrifice is commemorated at the Bayeux War Cemetery.