13th Bn. Para regt - Arnhem. Name check please.

Discussion in 'General' started by Pete Keane, Jan 8, 2010.

  1. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    I am trying to ascertain what happened to a particular para. on behalf of a pre-war territorial colleague.

    The man in question was CSM (?) Reg Allen, originally 2/4 Bn. South Lancs, but then 13th Bn. Para regt.

    It is believed he died at Arnhem, knowing the depth and quality of the knowledge on this board its probably easier for me to ask here than start from scratch!

    I cant get ont o CWGC at the mo., if I can update his details later I will.

    Thanks

    Pete
     
  2. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    I went through Geoffs and it worked first time!

    I would appreciate any info on the chap if it is known, also - the DSC wasnt known about - a pointer to info on that would be most appreciated.

    Thanks

    Pete

    Ps If englandphil is reading this..... is he on your memorial at Warrington?
     
  3. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    Hi Peter,

    the 13th Battalion were not at Arnhem, but were in in the 6th Airborne Division for Normandy and Rhine Crossing.

    His details on CWGC are:

    Allen, Reginald
    Company Sergeant Major
    3rd Bn, Parachute Regiment
    Age 23
    KIA 19/09/1944
    Service no. 3654909
    Awarded Distinguished Service Cross
    Son of John Willie and Fanny Allen, of Warrington, Lancashire
    Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery

    The DSC is a very strange award for a soldier to have, even a SNCO - it is usually awarded to Naval officers. 23 is a young age for a CSM too.
     
  4. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

  5. James Daly

    James Daly Senior Member

    Its an American DSC!

    London Gazette 15 February 1944

    The KING has been pleased to grant unrestricted permission for the wearing of the following decorations, which have been conferred on the undermentioned officers and other ranks, in recognition of distinguished services in the cause of the Allies: —

    DECORATIONS CONFERRED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
    Distinguished Service Cross.

    3654909 C. Serjt. Reginald Allen, Parachute Regiment, Army Air Corps.
     
  6. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Photograph of his headstone here:
    Casualty details

    No DSC on the headstone and the fact it is a Naval Officers award, I wonder if it is an error.

    Its an American DSC

    Edit: That will explain why its not on the headstone.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi Pete,

    Are you sure he was in 13 Para and just checked myself 3 Para I have a photo in fact here you go...

    Cheers
    Tom
     

    Attached Files:

  8. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    CWGC :: Certificate

    The DSC has got me intrigued.....One of the few WW2 books I'm missing :(
    Its got me intrigued as well as given the date James posted, gazetted feb 44, prior to both Normandy and Arnhem,(also curious as to when he switched Battalions ref 13 to 3 Para) for what action did he recive the DSC, the 2/4th S Lancs became 13 Para in May 43 and so was the award while serving with them:confused:
     
  9. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Looked on the Pegasus archives there is no DSC award shown for anyone in 1st Airborne let alone 3 Para in Sicily so count that out if he was 3 para then.Might be worth somone who has a copy of Honour to the Airborne checking that, Paul Has a copy I know.
     
  10. airborne medic

    airborne medic Very Senior Member

    Thought I recognised the name...he was CSM of B Company and killed I believe by a mortar bomb blast at the same time as the OC Major Peter Waddy......somewhere near the SEH/Rhine Pavilion......
    According to Honour to the Airborne Part 1 Allen was awarded the DSC on 15-2-1944 for distinguished conduct in Tunisia with the 3rd Btn......
     
    wtid45 likes this.
  11. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Thought I recognised the name...he was CSM of B Company and killed I believe by a mortar bomb blast at the same time as the OC Major Peter Waddy......somewhere near the SEH/Rhine Pavilion......
    According to Honour to the Airborne Part 1 Allen was awarded the DSC on 15-2-1944 for distinguished conduct in Tunisia with the 3rd Btn......
    Saw you logged in just after I posted then up you pop with the Answer;) I really have to get me a copy of HTTA PT1:)
     
  12. roodymiller

    roodymiller Senior Member

    How do you know that he was in the 13th? Do you have his service record? (this would tell you everything you need to know).

    Seems strange that he would transfer to the 3rd. The 13th only got back from Normandy early september (unless he was in reserve company or was wounded early on).
     
  13. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    How do you know that he was in the 13th? Do you have his service record? (this would tell you everything you need to know).

    Seems strange that he would transfer to the 3rd. The 13th only got back from Normandy early september (unless he was in reserve company or was wounded early on).
    As Medic said he was awarded the DSC for an action in Tunisia nov 42, with 3 Para who were still in N Africa around April 43 13 Para never came into being until May 43. I think we can safely say he was never in 13 Para.
     
  14. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Thanks for the info, very much appreciated.

    His cwgc entry does indeed show 3rd Bn.

    CWGC :: Casualty Details

    I dont know why i didnt read it properly first time.

    This query has come about whilst I have been trying to obtain info on the TF battalions of the South Lancs.

    The chap asking about CSM Allen was his childhood best friend and neighbour.

    The 3rd / 13th is a simple mistake, the assumption was that as Allen was 2/4th Bn then he would have been with the first draft for the 13th Bn., sorry!

    Am interested in his American DFC - any pointers on where I can start looking for details?

    Most of this is completely unknown, and is much appreciated.

    Thanks

    Pete
     
  15. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Peter,

    You may have some joy on WW2Forum ref the DSC. There are quite a few American books on their version of the medal. I've nearly ordered a few mistaking them for the British Naval variant.

    Andy
     
  16. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    All, here are the details of his citation. Yes he was origanally South Lancs, although I didnt know which Battalion

    Distinguished Service Cross citation for Reginald Allen | ParaData

    He took part in the Battle of Arnhem during Op Market Garden. He died on 19 September 1944, aged 23 years old. He was originally given a field burial among ruined buildings near the riverside of the Arnhem Bridge area. Until 1982 he was interred at Oosterbeek as an unknown soldier before being positively identified. He is now buried at Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Arnhem.
     
    Drew5233 likes this.
  17. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    Phil,

    Thank you for that.

    He was a pre-war territorial with 2/4 Bn. I dont know when he transferred to 3rd Bn. Para Regt.

    Is he on the Warrington memorial?

    Cheers

    Pete
     
  18. Pete Keane

    Pete Keane Senior Member

    All.

    Thank you for your help.



    Regards

    Pete.
     
  19. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member

    Phil,

    Thank you for that.

    He was a pre-war territorial with 2/4 Bn. I dont know when he transferred to 3rd Bn. Para Regt.

    Is he on the Warrington memorial?

    Cheers

    Pete

    Hi Pete, I work in Warrington, if I get a chance I will have a look for you tomorow, I sould have been in Scotland but its been canceled due to the weather:)
     
  20. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member

    Hello all, I managed to get there today and here he is

    [​IMG]

    sorry about the lorry:mad:
    [​IMG]
     

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