5727819 George S H BIFFIN, 1 SAS

Discussion in 'Special Forces' started by wtid45, Jun 13, 2010.

  1. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Having bought the book Operation Bulbasket by Paul mcCue some 7 years ago in a second hand bookshop I have always been curious about inscriptions written in the book by a previous owner who signed himself as F Gleeson.My curiousity was due mainly to a written passage by Gleeson stating "Trooper Biffin is alive and well. He was dropped wide in the Bulbasket operation and was captured.He was a POW in Germany until released at the end of the war.Then he was returned to his parent Regiment unaware that SAS records were searching for him for the last 53 years! F Gleeson 20.12.1997". This statement followed a passage in the book stating that Biffin had disappeared without trace presumed wounded and captured by the Germans.Elsewhere in the book there are other quotations by Gleeson passing comments on various happenings and events before during and after Bulbasket.Having looked again today at this book I went on line to see what I could find about Biffin some 13 years after the written comments all I could find was this litle information that supports Gleesons theory that Biffin survived. George Biffin - Special Forces - Roll Of Honour - Archive But my questions are does anyone know any more of Biffin and who could Gleeson be:unsure:.
     
  2. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    I do believe I have found out who F Gleeson is having looked through my copy of Para Memories-The 12th Yorkshire Parachute Battalion, I discovered a Frank Gleeson who was a L Cpl, in C coy 12 Para, and who was captured after the Battalions drop on D-Day ending up in POW camp at Rennes and "after many adventures escaped and was set free by the Americans.He joined the SAS after returning to England" I can only guess that his comments in regards to Biffin were connected to meeting him at the POW camp or his joining the SAS learning about Biffins survival there:unsure:
     
  3. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Hi Jason

    I like this, theres a good story to be written here, we may need to have a chat some time

    Dave
     
  4. ranville

    ranville Senior Member

    I was puzzled too about what happened to Trooper Biffin after reading 'Bulbasket'. The book sort of implied he'd been captured and summarily 'dispatched 'by the Germans. So much so i contacted the CWGC but they told me he was not registered with them. A couple of years later i was reading a book[ i can't bloody remember what is was] where the author mentioned thet Biffin was captured some weeks after 'Bulbasket' and ended the war as a POW. I guess after the war he just went on to mingle in with the rest of released/demobbed service peronnel. I thought for a while Biffin sounded a bit contrived and maybe he was on sub-mission to 'Bulbasket because in those murky days the SAS and SOE moved in mysterious ways.
     
  5. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Hi Jason

    I like this, theres a good story to be written here, we may need to have a chat some time

    Dave
    Look forward to it Dave we need to have a chat anyhow and see how your research and book are going ;)
     
  6. I can confirm "Biff" did survive - para/SAS wings were stripped from his uniform by a "good" enemy that ultimately saved him from the Fuhrer's Commando Order. His survival was not known until a few years back (I think his parent unit was listed on his return and he slipped through the net of Special Forces records). Biff sadly died circa 2007. I would need to track down some notes to confirm the accuracy but I think the gist of what I have said is correct.

    Regards,

    Jonathan S
     
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  7. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Thank you for the add on......... any additional notes that may give more information would be gratefully recieved.
     
  8. ASSAMMAN

    ASSAMMAN Junior Member

    I can confirm "Biff" did survive - para/SAS wings were stripped from his uniform by a "good" enemy that ultimately saved him from the Fuhrer's Commando Order. His survival was not known until a few years back (I think his parent unit was listed on his return and he slipped through the net of Special Forces records). Biff sadly died circa 2007. I would need to track down some notes to confirm the accuracy but I think the gist of what I have said is correct.

    Regards,

    Jonathan S
    One did know of someone that at one time was "shall we say looking into records of the SAS for people"
    2 things one im unshaw if he is still alive if so he may be abel to help but one has to be carefull these days one would not wish the special branch kicking down my door just for the fun of it......too old for that theses days.
    Q: Was it yourself that was wrighting a book on the SAS or another member ? as i do know an ex member of the special forces in WW2, none british SAS......But as you will understand i'd need to clear things with him first befor we went further and for me to pass on any information. Regards A cold old Bird
     
  9. englandphil

    englandphil Very Senior Member

    Name: G. S. H. Biffin
    Rank: Private
    Army Number: 5727819
    Regiment: Army Air Corps
    POW Number: 53176
    Camp Type: Stalag
    Camp Number: IX-C
    Camp Location: Mühlhausen, Hesse
     
  10. Paul McCue

    Paul McCue Junior Member

    I can confirm what Jonathan Saunders has posted re "Biff" Biffin. I updated the details of his fate in the second edition of "Operation Bulbasket" published earlier this year. His survival became known only after "Bulbasket" was first published, the SAS Regtl Association having put a researcher onto the task as it was realised, from the book, that the Regiment had no record of what became of him. After his release from POW camp, Biffin never made contact with the other survivors, nor - until after 2000 - the Regtl Assoc. Thereafter, he did join the SASRA regular trips back to the area of operations in central France, until he died.
    All best

    Paul McCue (author of "SAS Operation Bulbasket")
     
  11. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Paul, welcome to Talk, would you agree with my theory on who F.Gleson may be. Great book by the way is their much more added in the updated edition apart from what you have mentioned Regards, Jason.
     
  12. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    God,not another book I need to buy.lol
     
  13. ranville

    ranville Senior Member

    I can confirm what Jonathan Saunders has posted re "Biff" Biffin. I updated the details of his fate in the second edition of "Operation Bulbasket" published earlier this year. His survival became known only after "Bulbasket" was first published, the SAS Regtl Association having put a researcher onto the task as it was realised, from the book, that the Regiment had no record of what became of him. After his release from POW camp, Biffin never made contact with the other survivors, nor - until after 2000 - the Regtl Assoc. Thereafter, he did join the SASRA regular trips back to the area of operations in central France, until he died.
    All best

    Paul McCue (author of "SAS Operation Bulbasket")

    Many thanks for that Paul. The Biffin issue had puzzled me for some and it's great to have a definitive conclusion. I have to say your book 'Bulbasket is excellent and provided a good tour in France tracing the operation. Very moving to see the row of graves in Rom.

    Ps I really think 'Bulbasket' would make a good film. Anyone know any film script writers?
     
  14. Barclay

    Barclay Junior Member

    Dear Paul,

    I read your book some time ago and thoroughly enjoyed whilst trying to research my Grandfathers service with 2 SAS between 1943 and 1945. I have an Op Order from Grenville at the SAS Regimental Association regarding his deployment on Op Defoe in Normandy during the summer of 1944 but any other details are sketchy.

    317608 Sgt A J Orwin (actually JAA Orwin but was known in 2 SAS as Tony or 'Bing') saw active service with 9th Lancers in the western desert befoer transferring to 2 SAS I believe at Phillippeville. I have no idea whether he came across with some notable 9th Lancer recruits to Bill Stirling or via LRDG and whether or not he saw service in Italy with 2 SAS before his name appears on the parachute training nominal roll at RAF Ringway in the spring of 1944.

    My grandmother had a bundle of parachute rip cords in her sweing box in Wivenhoe when I was growing up that I was told represented his jumps into enemy occuppied territory and I recall his red SAS beret hanging on the back of the bedroom door as very young visitor to their house in Wivenhoe. He joined the parachute regiment for service in Palestine in 1945-1949 (I wonder whether he went across with a number of SAS veterans who transferred at the same time with Bob Walker Brown?). It was not until I read Gavin Mortimer's book that I realised that 2 SAS had their UK HQ in Wivenhoe - a coincidence?

    I have no idea what Squadron he served in within 2 SAS. Did he serve again with the Op Defoe team (Capt MacGibbon Lewis and Lt Silly) when they deployed on Operation Loyton? He spoke some French and occasionally referred to operations with French members of the SAS to my grandmother but little more was said and I note that there are a number of French SAS members on his parachute course.

    My grandmother said he never joined the SAS Regimental Assocation but corresponded with Tom Burt the former 2 SAS QM for a number of years when he was secretary of the association from the Gold Coast where he was posted in the 1950's when he transferred to the Royal Western Frontier Force. It appears he formed an informal SAS Association in the Gold Coast with other SAS vets and one from LRDG.

    Can anyone help find out any more on my grandfather's SAS service or perhaps has come accross his name from other veterans. He died on 21st February 1976 in Wivenhoe (where he ran a riding school) when I was very young but I believe his funeral was well attended by SAS veterans.

    Kind regards

    Sam
     
  15. Paul McCue

    Paul McCue Junior Member

    I would guess you're right that they might have met while POWs - rather than any post-war knowledge while in the SAS. I've found it remarkable how little families/friends etc were told after the war, due in no small part, I suppose, to the regiment having disbanded for a period. Someone I know is currently researching a roll of honour for all SAS and connected units (LRDG etc) killed in WW2, and in many cases he is starting from scratch. A huge, but commendable job.

    Thanks for kind comments re Bulbasket - the second edition only has a page of errata/Biffin update and a new cover - so I wouldn't rush to buy it!

    All best

    Paul
     
  16. Paul McCue

    Paul McCue Junior Member

    Sam

    I know someone who is doing a lot of research on wartime SAS personnel - I will ask him, I'm afraid I don't have any leads myself.

    Paul
     
  17. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Paul thanks for your views and your honesty about the updated book!
     
  18. Barclay

    Barclay Junior Member

    Thanks Paul,

    Unfortunatley it seems that 1 SAS vets have outlived the remaining 2 SAS vets although I was lucky enough while a serving officer (Scots Guards) to meet a couple of SAS vets at Chelsea Hospital one who recognised the name 'Bing' Orwin. Sadly he has since passed away. I was able to speak to Bob Walker Brown via Brigadier Kim Ross (late Scots Guards) who was his next door neighbour by telephone, but he could not do much for me without a photograph of grandfather in uniform to help. Sadly the only photo I have of him in uniform is as 18 year old trooper in 9th Lancers in 1936!

    Do let me know if your friend or contacts come up with anything

    Sam
     
  19. ADM199

    ADM199 Well-Known Member

    Agricultural Worker for a living. Resided in Fordingbridge Hants

    Captured France 11/6/44
    Hospital Paris 22/6/44 - 7/7/44 - Hospital Obermasfeld 20/8/44 - 4/9/44

    Stalag 1XC Bad Sulza - Work Camp Menzengraben Salt Mine 27/9/44 - 1/4/45.

    He was wounded by Strafing Aircraft which was the reason for Hospitalisation.
     
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  20. hellyhansen

    hellyhansen Junior Member

    To WTID45

    Ref Fankie Gleeson, he was a friend of my fathers during my childhood and he was indeed SAS. We spent many hours chatting about his service and he had quite a lot of memorabilia and photos around his farmhouse. I lost touch with him in the mid 90s when he moved to northern France where he sadly died.

    any questions I can answer please feel free to ask!
     

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