Can anyone assist me with further wartime only information on the following members of the Airborne forces ; Clifford William Joseph Lea , resided in Pembroke Dock at his demise in 1953. Was at Arnhem. Previous came to the Dock in 1930 with the Essex Regt, retired here and worked as a batman in the Officers Mess at RAF Pembroke Dock. 1939 re-called to the colours and later transferred to the Airborne Cpy of the RASC, and was in Germany at the end of the war. Pvte Leonard George Phillips Owen : 8th Para’s Regt A.A.C. nbr 6108354 aged 20 died 28 Mar 1945. Joined Army in 1944 after taking his degree from Exeter College Oxford, initially was in the Queen’s Own, then volunteered for the Para’s 1st serving with 6th Airborne, came home and then returned to cross the Rhine I presume with 8th Para's. Paratrooper (Pilot) Robert (Bob) Gibson ; Here confusion reigns, my research shows, a man who had travelled the globe, he has been posted “missing since Arnhem”. However I have been told that this is fact R.G. Gibson 892357 of 16 Flt ‘F’ Sqdn, who escaped from Arnhem, but I have found no further details, can anyone clarify please. Major David Carter : born 1925 has the airborne motif on his headstone here in Pembrokeshire, may have served W.W. 2 CWGC has already been searched. Rgds Owen Ap Benfro Pembrokeshire Military Headstones 1722 to 2010
Gibson, I have him only on my arnhem list as being indeed the GPR men mentioned, don't have another Lea on my list other then Colonel Lea of 11 Parachute Battalion
Ron Gibson was the author of the book on Arnhem entitled "Nine Days". Originally commanding high prices it has recently been republished - see the Arnhem book thread John
I have had a quick look on Paradata (see link) http://www.paradata.org.uk/ No C.W Lea listed. L.G.P Owen is listed as 8 para, details as you have posted. No Robert Gibson listed but there is a S.Sgt Ronald Gibson which may tie in with previous post. No Major Carter listed.
S/Sgt. Gibson was from E Squadron and was towed from Down Ampney with co-pilot Sgt. C. Oxford for Operation Mallard landing on DZ ‘N’ and were carrying members of 1st (Airborne) Royal Ulster Rifles.
The following information about Ronald Gibson, from Paradata, might assist: "Ronald P Gibson was born in Kandy, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) in 1920. After a short time overseas he returned to England where he was educated. Ron served as a Staff Sergeant with 16 Flight, F Sqn, 2nd Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment. On 17 September 1944 as part of Operation Market Garden (First Lift) he flew a Horsa Glider to Arnhem with his second pilot – Sgt Ernest ‘Sim’ Simion, a German-Jew from Berlin. The Horsa carried a six-pounder Anti-Tank gun, a jeep, and two members of the Anti-Tank Platoon of 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment. Later in the battle, as a consequence of the move of the South Staffordshire Regt down toward the road bridge in Arnhem, 2 Wing GPR were employed as infantry holding a section of the 1 Airlanding Brigade area of the Oosterbeek perimeter. On 19 Sept 44 ‘F’ Sqn were involved in particularly fierce fighting. Ron’s second pilot, ‘Sim’ Simion was killed in a trench nearby during a well co-ordinated infantry assault mounted by SS troops. Ron Gibson survived a series of similar attacks and eventually escaped across the Rhine at the end of the battle during Operation Berlin. After the war Ron Gibson left the Army Air Corps and studied to become an Architect. After the death of both of his parents he moved to Kenya where he married and subsequently immigrated to Australia. After four years in Australia he was seconded to Papua New Guinea where we worked for the rest of his life until his death in 1977. " John
Thankyou all for your input, I think I must plump for F Sqdn over E Sqdn in this instance. At the risk of continually repeating myself, all your efforts are very much appreciated in my quest to bring together as much info as I can on the background of ex miltiary worldwide headstones of Pembrokeshire between 1722 and 2010. Rgds Owen Ap Benfro
Owen Sorry to cause confusion but today I came across details of a Robert Gibson from 156 Para. The possible connection is that he comes from your area in South Wales which might account for a burial in the area.. Do you have a date of birth for him? John
Owen Sorry to cause confusion but today I came across details of a Robert Gibson from 156 Para. The possible connection is that he comes from your area in South Wales which might account for a burial in the area.. Do you have a date of birth for him? John John is that Pte R Gibson, 14509289, of HQ Coy, who was a POW (90773) at Limburg? All the best........... PS No trace on the other names other than what has already been posted
Not sure if this will help but I found another couple of "R. Gibson's". Sgt R Gibson, 888871, A Troop, 1 Bty, 1st AL Light Regt. POW 93596 at Sagan. L.Cpl R Gibson, 3771261, C Coy, 156 Para. All the best..........
Paul/Owen Confirm - Pte Robert Gibson 14509289. 156 Para - Born 5.9.1912 and living at 26 Wallis Street, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, South Wales He was in Limburg until the end of October '44 and then went to Mulburg for a few days before being moved to a work camp at Hertzberg for the duration. John
Paul/Owen Confirm - Pte Robert Gibson 14509289. 156 Para - Born 5.9.1912 and living at 26 Wallis Street, Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, South Wales He was in Limburg until the end of October '44 and then went to Mulburg for a few days before being moved to a work camp at Hertzberg for the duration. John Cheers mate..........
