Hi, I'm hoping that some of you might be able to shed some light on my late father Ray Arthur Devenish's where abouts during world war 2 I know that he was in the obli 52nd and that he trained at bulford ,I'm not sure when he joined either 1942 or 43 ,I think. He was in the 6th airborne assault on D-Day, and went over in the gliders I'm not sure what company he was in, I do have a document from 1947 signed by at least 50 of the regiment I think that it says C company ,and it has something about Palestine on it, He's been dead for over 20 years and I've always known this but want to know more. I have one story of him being in a barn in my head and I'm sure it involves him hiding in a barn and the nazis coming in and killing a vicar-I don't know where this comes from.If I can find his army service number I will post it, thanks for any help mike.
Hi Mike, You will undoubtedly get some help off some members interested specificly in the 52nd and Airborne units but in the meantime may I suggest, if you don't have them already, that you apply for his service records. Goodluck Andy
A link here that mentions C coy a few times and also the battalion going to Palestine 2nd Battalion The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
Thanks guys my next step is to get his service records, what is general service records I looked on wilkpedia and it said reservist or specialist-is that right. I asked my brother if he knew anything and he said something about pegasus 22 and later on para 22 -does that mean anything to anyone ?
Thanks guys my next step is to get his service records, what is general service records I looked on wilkpedia and it said reservist or specialist-is that right. I asked my brother if he knew anything and he said something about pegasus 22 and later on para 22 -does that mean anything to anyone ? Can't say I've heard of Pegasus 22 or Para 22. I would wait for Lyndon (a forum member) he knows quite a bit about 52 Div and the service records are a must (I don't know what General Service Records are). Keep it simple Mike or speculation and random posts will lead to all sorts of red herrings and just end up wasting your time chasing dead ends. Regards Andy ps I sent Lyndon a link to this so he'll hopefully post soon.
Hi Mike, Looking through the OBLI war chronicles and the History of the 2nd OBLI in WW2 - Pegasus 22 & Para 22 draws a complete blank. As Andy has already advised you, obtaining your fathers' army service papers is a must...... however, be warned I've heard of some people waiting over 9 months to receive them but you are in good stead as you already have his army number. If I can help you further please feel free to drop me a PM.
Mike - as I mentioned that service number 145*****indicates that he joined in late spring 1943- at that time he was initially in GENERAL SERVICE - for at least six weeks for initial infantry training and testing to see where he would fit in to the army- once they had made up their minds - he would be posted to a regular unit for further training before being sent anywhere to fight - his SERVICE RECORDS are a chronicle of his service and is verse and chapter of that service - Cheers
Thanks Tom guess I'll just have to be a bit patient, I had to ring up M O D and ask them to send me a form, as the online service record form wouldn't download for me.
oxonbucks52, Think I found what you were looking for in the Essex Newsman. It appears your father was a witness to the death of 7th Parachute Battalion's Padre Captain Parry. He was in the Regimental Aid Post and saw the Padre stabbed. I think this confirms it Mike. brithm
Hey, I found the information below on an another post on WW2talk : Any info? The following are all the regiment’s wounded casualties on list 1491, note, none reported KIA. Bear in mind that these were daily lists. All ‘date not reported’ unless indicated. 2nd Bn Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire LI 5382884 Beale Pte RGT 14207158 Berridge Pte F 5960846 Clarke Pte AE 14558205 Devenish Pte RA 5386576 Evans Pte A 5387090 Martin Pte EW 5833317 Moorby Pte C 5779638 Porter A/L/Cpl AH 5391688 Smith Pte JN 5988677 Webb L/Cpl RF 5388407 Winterbourne Cpl A 5381778 Wooton Pte JPA Regards, Xavier
