Private Emile Servais Corteil was a dog handler with the 9th Bn Parachute Regiment of the 6th British Airborne Division. Pvt Corteil made the D-Day jump with his dog "Glenn" on the early hours of 6 June 1944 in the Orne River Valley to secure the flanks of the landings and knock out the Merville Battery which imposed a threat to the British landing beaches. Corteil and Glenn were among the many who missed their night time landing zone. Corteil, Glenn and the other Paratroopers were making their way to the rallying point to attack the Merville Battery. The Paratroopers were dogged by the flooded flate lands, German Patrols and traveling in the dark. The British Air Force had orders to strafe at any movement in certain areas along the Orne River Valley to keep the Germans in check and protect the Airborne Landings. The Paratroopers ended up in one of these areas that the British Pilots had orders to fire on. The British Paratoopers were attacked by friendly fire and Pvt Corteil, Glenn and other Parartroopers were killed as well as some being wounded. Pvt Corteil and his dog "Glenn" are buried together. It is believed that this is the only war time grave burial with a dog handler and his dog.
Private Emile Servais Corteil was a dog handler with the 9th Bn Parachute Regiment of the 6th British Airborne Division. Pvt Corteil made the D-Day jump with his dog "Glenn" on the early hours of 6 June 1944 in the Orne River Valley to secure the flanks of the landings and knock out the Merville Battery which imposed a threat to the British landing beaches. Corteil and Glenn were among the many who missed their night time landing zone. Corteil, Glenn and the other Paratroopers were making their way to the rallying point to attack the Merville Battery. The Paratroopers were dogged by the flooded flate lands, German Patrols and traveling in the dark. The British Air Force had orders to strafe at any movement in certain areas along the Orne River Valley to keep the Germans in check and protect the Airborne Landings. The Paratroopers ended up in one of these areas that the British Pilots had orders to fire on. The British Paratoopers were attacked by friendly fire and Pvt Corteil, Glenn and other Parartroopers were killed as well as some being wounded. Pvt Corteil and his dog "Glenn" are buried together. It is believed that this is the only war time grave burial with a dog handler and his dog.
Inscription
HAD YOU KNOWN OUR BOY YOU WOULD HAVE LOVED HIM TOO.
“GLEN” HIS PARATROOP DOG WAS KILLED WITH HIM
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