Questions regarding my grandfather (156th Parachute Battalion - Airborne)

Hi,

My grandfather served at Arnhem (and earlier in North Africa, Italy etc) and was also captured there. His name was Lt. Jeffrey Noble. He was Officer Commanding, Medium Machine gun Platoon (Support Company), 156th Parachute Battalion.

I'd like as much information as possible really.

My grandfather is still alive and currently living back in the UK, reason I'm asking here (and not my granddad direct) is partly out of respect and also because maybe you can give me information I cant find somewhere else.

Some information on my granddad can be found here: 1st British Airborne Division officersX --X N (under Noble)

Thanks,

Tom

(Sorry for posting both here and PoW, if an admin wants to delete one of the two, feel free).

 

Hi Tom and welcome to the forum. Can I suggest you add Airborne in some shape or form to the title to attract the 'Airborne Nuts'

Good Luck
Andy

 

Hello Drew,

Thanks for your reply. What do you mean by adding Airborne? Just add the word?

Thanks!

Tom

 

Anything you feel appropriate that is Airborne related mate. For example: Lt. Jeffrey Noble, 156th Bn, The Parachute Regiment. It will get more attention from those interested in Arnhem.

 

Anything you feel appropriate that is Airborne related mate. For example: Lt. Jeffrey Noble, 156th Bn, The Parachute Regiment. It will get more attention from those interested in Arnhem.

Done

 

Welcome Tom

Drew means

Questions regarding my grandfather (156th Parachute Battalion)
add Airborne in the title your created

 

Tom,
Hello and welcome to the forum.

Regards
Tom

 

Tom, a must have book on the 156th Bn is From Delhi to Arhem, by John O'Reilly. Especially as your grandfather is pictured in it (Five times) as well of plenty of mentions

eg. pg 115
Lieutenant Jeffrey Noble was in command of the Medium Machine gun platoon. He had formed the Platoon in 1943 when the Battalion was stationed in Tunisia. With a mere 14 months army service, he had not even set eyes on a Vickers before, Fortunately the NCO's and most of the men were pre-war regulars, with experience in India and the Middle East

156 Parachute Battalion From Delhi To Arnhem a book by John O'Reilly

 

Have replied to your POW post, but will also add that you might also be intrested in booklet entitled 'Chalk 619' Doomed Before It Even Started The Story Of MMG Platoon 156 Parachute Battalion,which was compiled by one of this Forums members Phillip Reinders, which as soon as you open it shows a picture of your Grandad on page 1!

 

Tom, FDTA states he was a POW at Oflag 79, POW No 91017. It also says he later became Captain.

Also shows a map with the exact point at which he was captured

Pg 190
Lieutenant Noble did not accept Foremans order to surrender. His Platoon was some distance from the main body of Foremans Group and they took off into the surrounding woods. Their break for freedom did not last long. Within a short time most were taken prisoner, although a few may have escaped.

 

Have replied to your POW post, but will also add that you might also be intrested in booklet entitled 'Chalk 619' Doomed Before It Even Started The Story Of MMG Platoon 156 Parachute Battalion,which was compiled by one of this Forums members Phillip Reinders, which as soon as you open it shows a picture of your Grandad on page 1!

CHALK 619 - MMG PLATOON 156 PARACHUTE BTN ARNHEM 1944 on eBay (end time 10-Jan-10 18:01:05 GMT)

 

Hi Tom,

You may also want to get yourself copies of "Men at Arnhem" by Tom Angus (Geoffrey Powell) and "Salute to the Steadfast" by Harry Bankhead. Both are about the 156 Battalion, although I have to agree with englandphil and say that if you only buy one book it has to be "From Delhi to Arnhem". It is superb!!

All the best,

Paul.............

 

Tom, a must have book on the 156th Bn is From Delhi to Arhem, by John O'Reilly. Especially as your grandfather is pictured in it (Five times) as well of plenty of mentions

eg. pg 115
Lieutenant Jeffrey Noble was in command of the Medium Machine gun platoon. He had formed the Platoon in 1943 when the Battalion was stationed in Tunisia. With a mere 14 months army service, he had not even set eyes on a Vickers before, Fortunately the NCO's and most of the men were pre-war regulars, with experience in India and the Middle East

156 Parachute Battalion From Delhi To Arnhem a book by John O'Reilly
I posted about FDTA about a min after you in Toms other thread

 

Tom,

If you pm me your address I'll pass it on to John Waddy who in 1944 was B Company commander of the 156 and will probably remember him......

 

Wow, thanks for all your replies! Really, it means a lot. I have spoken to my grandfather and talked about the book "From Delhi to Arnhem" and he will send me a copy

I will also try to get the Ebay listed book "Chalk 619"

Airborne_medic: I know my Grandfather has often talked of John Waddy (i think the two of them are basically the only survivors still alive from 156).

I remember my grandfather talking about when he was captured, he was caught in a "slit trench" (sorry for the misspelling) with his bat man (?) and was temporarily blinded when hit by dirt from an explosion. At the time my grandfather went wild and his batman said something like "Allright Jeff, time to pack it in" and they surrendered to the germans.

I have a film which I made myself as a documentary for school when I was 18, it's very informative and i'f anyone would like me to send it to them for a small fee I'd be happy too (it's on a DVD, about 40 minutes long).

Thanks again,

Tom

 

Some pictures:

http://pici.se/pictures/pyELsmQEk.jpg (I think Cambier (who was later shot against a wall by SS is also in this picture, not sure)

http://pici.se/pictures/QVonWXfbQ.jpg

http://pici.se/pictures/large/cXwmRZABJ.jpg

I'm trying to get some pictures from when he got his medal from the Queen but I can't seem to find it.

 

Just wanted to share this link of the documentary I made when I was 18 (school project):

Here is the link: http://happybeads.se/Ww2Slutrender1.avi

Please let me know if you like it. And sorry about the bad editing and band of brothers references, I was only 18

Regards,

Tom

 

Hi Tom,

You may also want to get yourself copies of "Men at Arnhem" by Tom Angus (Geoffrey Powell) and "Salute to the Steadfast" by Harry Bankhead. Both are about the 156 Battalion, although I have to agree with englandphil and say that if you only buy one book it has to be "From Delhi to Arnhem". It is superb!!

All the best,

Paul.............

'Salute to the Steadfast' is a lovely little book Tom. I had the privilege of helping Harry out with a few piccies for it. His description of 'Hackett's Hollow' after the breakout is one of the most moving things you'll ever read about the battle. Here's why my copy is one of the gems in mi' collection!

 

Just wanted to share this link of the documentary I made when I was 18 (school project):

Here is the link: http://happybeads.se/Ww2Slutrender1.avi

Please let me know if you like it. And sorry about the bad editing and band of brothers references, I was only 18

Regards,

Tom

Well done mate, very moving.

 

Just wanted to share this link of the documentary I made when I was 18 (school project):

Here is the link: http://happybeads.se/Ww2Slutrender1.avi

Please let me know if you like it. And sorry about the bad editing and band of brothers references, I was only 18

Regards,

Tom

Wonderful video Tom, thanks very much for sharing that with us.

Best regards,

Paul...........