Researching my Grandfather (156 Parachute Battalion - Airborne)

Discussion in 'NW Europe' started by Pte Morrison, Aug 29, 2017.

  1. Pte Morrison

    Pte Morrison Member

    Hello All,

    I am new to this group and am researching my Grandfather Thomas Morrison (Army Number 4459046) who was a Private in the 156 Parachute Battalion amongst other units.

    I have already received his Service Records and from them I can confirm that following:

    Enlisted in Jan 1940 with Durham Light Infantry
    Initially posted in Feb 1940 to ITC
    Posted in Jun 1940 to 50th Btn DLI?
    Posted in Jul 1940 to 14th Btn DLI
    Drafted in Jan 1943 to RBWZK (serial) and embarked to SA or LA? (hard to make out the writing) ME - Middle East
    Disembarked in May 1943 to 1/2 TD X (IV a) list BNAF Egypt
    Posted and placed on X (I) List in May 1943 for 156 Bn Para Regt
    To BKAF & SOS Aug 1943
    Embarked for UK Nov 1943
    Transferred in Feb 1944 from DLI to AAC and posted to 156 Bn Para Regt V
    Embarked UK 14-8-44 for 156 Bn
    Disembarked NWE 17-8-44
    Embarked NWE 3-10-44
    Disembarked UK 4-10-44
    Posted on Dec 1944 from 156 Bn to 1st Para Bn
    Transferred on Aug 1945 to Gilder Pilot Depot Larkhill as a Tnr (Trainer?)
    Released in Jan 1946 to Territorial Army Reserves

    Anyway I would like some help to find out more information about his service and his invlovement as in theatres of operation for instance was he was part of Operation Market Garden - Arnhem, it looks like he went over with an advanced party as his journey took 3 days and this was in August and the main drops for 156 Bn were on 18th Sept. Also some help/information on the units he was in like 50th Btn, RBWZK and abbreviations would be good like SOS and what were the lists for that he was put on during 1943. Where would he have done his Para jump training. Also if he was finally posted as a trainer at the Glider Pilot Depot in Larkhill what would he have taught?

    Loving the site so far, loads of great information and hope to learn more about my own Grandfather's service. I also have some photos from his war years and DLI and Para cap badges and what is like a bakelite Para cap badge which I assume was for jumping with or was it due to metal being in shortage during the war?

    Thanks in advance for your help

    Ian
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2017
  2. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Let me try and answer the easy one as there are other members better equipped to answer some of your more involved questions:

    RBWZK this was a randomly generated code given to all men and equipment travelling on a certain boat/ship, quite like a flight number today that goes on all passengers and their luggage to (hopefully) all reach the same and correct destination

    TD

    edited to add:

    SOS mean Struck Off Strength - he was moved to elsewhere their no longer on the strength of that unit
    TOS means the reverse Taken On Strength, he was added to the stregth of that unit
     
  3. Pte Morrison

    Pte Morrison Member

    Thanks Tricky Dicky for the information.
     
  4. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Ian,
    The dates that you have provided (embark UIK 14/8/44) indicates that he was part of the Seaborne Tail for 156 Parachute Battalion. They boarded ships at Tilbury on that date and went across to France to await the Airborne landings that were being planned for the 1st Airborne Division. Because of the severe losses that 156 Battalion sustained at Arnhem they were disbanded, along with the 10th and 11th Parachute Battalions of 4th Parachute Brigade, and their members merged with the other depleted units of the 1st Parachute Brigade. This would explain his posting to 1st Parachute Battalion.
    I think BKAF & SOS Aug 1943 should read BNAF (British North Africa Force) and this would coincide with 1the time that 156 Battalion being at Kabrit and then Ramat David. They did not take part in the Sicily invasion but went with the 1st Airborne Division into Italy in September 1943. There is a very good book on 156 Battalion called "From Delhi to Arnhem" by John O'Reilly.
    Does the Service Record for Feb 1944 show him being transferred from DLI to ACC (Army Catering Corps) or AAC (Army Air Corps). If it is the former it would suggest that he was a cook, the latter is the normal designation for Parachute Troops.

    John
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  5. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    Ian
    Just looked at the nominal roll in the back of "Delhi to Arnhem" and it shows your Grandfather as from DLI and posted to HQ Coy. The 156 still has a very strong Veterans Association which now contains many family members of people that served with the Battalion - I will be meeting up with them in Arnhem next month.
     
    Tricky Dicky likes this.
  6. Pte Morrison

    Pte Morrison Member

    Thanks John for the information, this is really helpful in piecing everything together. My Grandfather like many did not talk about the war and unfortunately passed away in the 80's. I can confirm that he was transferred to the Army Air Corp and yes it was BNAF, both were a typo from myself.

    I have already purchased the book "From Delhi to Arnhem" but left it with my Mother to read, so will have to wait for my turn.

    So the seaborne tail of the 156 Para, that went to France, were they sent for another operation and did they meet up with the rest of the Batallion in Holland the following month?

    Many thanks
    Ian
     
  7. horsapassenger

    horsapassenger Senior Member

    The Seaborne Tail's function was to transport the equipment that the Battalion would need after it had completed its mission, prior to its return to the UK. This would include change of uniforms etc that the troops would have been unable to take into action with them. Each Battalion would have a group of 30 to 40 trucks as well as additional anti tank guns etc. If you pm me your email address I will be able to give you a bit more information about their journey through France and up to Nijmegen where they met the survivors of Arnhem after their withdrawal.
    John
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2017
    Pte Morrison and Tricky Dicky like this.
  8. Alan Pollard

    Alan Pollard New Member

    Hi
    Iam also new to this site I am looking for information on my farther-in-law who served in 156 Parachute Bn his details are 7617126 Pte Cyril Eccles he jumped at Arnhem and was eventualy taken prisioner. He survived the war and died in Westwen Australia 19th April 1992
    Alan
     
  9. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Alan

    Just replied to your question on another thread Arnhem POW

    Starting multi threads will only lead to confusion

    TD
     

Share This Page