I have just received this through Facebook. My father Pte Watts was originally in the Devons as per uniform and badge but ended up in the 6th Airborne assault on Pegasus Bridge. The records appear to show that he was in Glider No 3. Which crash landed into two pieces on landing. Trust this information is ok for historical records. I am confused, i know that the three gliders that landed at Pegasus bridge were members of the Ox & Bucks with a few Royal Engineers, is it possible that there was a stray glider from A Coy of the Devons landing near by (perhaps it was Horsa Bridge and not Pegasus that he landed near). The other thing is when the picture is expanded it looks like he is wearing the 7th Armoured patch on his arm, which would make him part of the 2nd Devons. Now i am thinking the picture was taken at the end o the war, mainly because a) he is wearing medal ribbons and b) he has just transferred from the 12th to the 2nd but is still wearing his red beret as you can plainly see the leather sweatband, GS beret's don't have a leather sweatband. Does anybody have info on this? or have a list of names from No 3 glider?
here is the Coup de Main list for Pegasus Bridge http://pegasusarchive.org/normandy/repCoupDeMain.htm There is a Pte. Watts listed in Glider No. 3
reddevon, There are two Cpl Watts listed, on the 12th Devons Normandy nominal roll, which doesn't really fit as far as rank goes. Cpl Watts C., 5628438, Wounded Cpl Watts G., 5627513, Wounded Service records should provide info on the the battalion he was with and if there were any transfers. Regards ...
I posted all the info from Pegasus Archives, this was his reply. Thanks for your reply. The initials of the above are not my dads. Plus I did notice that in one of the other gliders had a sapper Wheeler and can remember he always says he had a close friend with this name. Is it possible that he transferred from the Ox & Bucks to the 12th Devons?
reddevon, It's possible but the only way to be sure is to acquire his service records. Pte. Watts was with No. 14 Pl, B Coy, 2 Oxf & Bucks. He came in on Horsa CN 93. Sapper Harry Wheeler arrived at Pegasus Bridge in the same Horsa as Major John Howard, the first one in, CN 91. He's quoted a few times in the Barber book which also includes a photo of him. He was with No. 2 Pl, 249 Fd Coy RE. There's also a good newspaper article from 2006 on Harry Wheeler who has since passed on at age 87. http://www.connop.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Henley-Standard-10th-March-2006-Harry-Wheeler.jpg Regards ...
reddevon, I was reminded after viewing the following stories on D-Day Veterans honoured with portraits that Pat Turner who came in on Glider 3 is still very much with us. There's a chance he may remember Pte. Watts. http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/11808618.D_Day_veteran_Patrick_honoured_with_portrait/ http://s.telegraph.co.uk/graphics/projects/d-day-veterans/index.html Regards ..
Hello I'm looking into L/Cpl Frank Bertram Bailey 14570325 of the 12th Airborne Bn of the Devons who believe was in D Company which arrived in Normandy by sea on 7 June and then relieved 12 Para Bn at le Bas de Ranville. He was part of the action to take Breville and I believe he was one of the 5 NCOs killed on 12 June, suspected by friendly artillery fire, together with the CO Major John Bampfylde and others. He was aged 19. He is buried at Ranville cemetery (IVA. B. 16). I would be very interested if anyone has any further information about Frank. I have seen lots of group photos on this thread but as I don't have any of Frank I'm not sure if he is in any of them. Many thanks Stephen
it looks like they have a parachute on their laps, but no other equipment is being worn, but i do love the size of the beret on the second bloke, its huge enough to keep his ear warm
Red, I was wondering about those as well. They could be life preservers which they attach to the harness? It may have been a live run where they went out and flew around to give the GPs and tug pilots experience carrying troops. Looks like a big jack sitting in front of the cockpit door? Regards ...
Cee its strange that none of them are not wearing any webbing at all just a harness to clip the parachut to, and that looks like an American reserve chute
Red, Matt says they are chutes as well. Maybe pilot seat chutes though they don't seem to be sitting on them ...? The American front reserve parachute doesn't seem as flat or wide as those.
Hi All, Please forgive me if I am hijacking someone else post, I am new to forums. The subject of the 12th (Airborne) Bn., Devonshire Regiment is of particular interest to me as I have been raised on stories my grandad told me of his beloved older brother David. Corporal David Charles Sayer (5617603), died on the 11th June 1944 aged 30 after receiving injuries to his left flank. He is buried at Ranville War Cemetery where I will have the honour and privilege to visit hos grave side this August. Before I do I am just wondering whether anyone here has any links, information or photos of my uncle, would be lovely to see and to hear from anyone that either knew him or had or has a relative that knew him? Thanking you all in advance for your time.
http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/28023-12th-battalion-the-devonshire-regiment/page-10 I'm sure there are people on here who can help you. They certainly have me for which I am indebted. Take a look here this is the war diary for the period you speak about.
Hi Sayers and welcome. I couldn't make any headway with your uncle, Corporal David Charles Sayer (5617603). He does show up on the CWGC for grave location. The WD doesn't offer much information. He would have been killed (or later died of wounds) while in the area of Le Bas de Ranville. "10th / 11th June 1944 Place: Le Bas de Ranville Patrols sent out during the night to obtain identifications, without success. Generally a quiet night. Total cas for day were 1 Officer killed, 2 O.Rs killed and 17 O.Rs wounded. 11th June 1944 Place: Le Bas de Ranville 0800 - Bn area shelled from BREVILLE. 2015 - Enemy movement seen on ring contour. Area engaged by our mortars. Total cas for day 6 O.Rs wounded." At 30 years of age he would have been older than most of the other young men in the 12th Devons. If you haven't done so getting a hold of his service papers may fill in a few gaps. Regards ...
Hi Carolee, my Grandad Private Fred Dalley is the one lowest down on the front row second from left. Are you able to tell me more about the photo and if your dad remembers anything about my Grandad and their experiences? It's great you know some of the names in the picture. Regards Alex
Hi Alex Sorry to be so long answering but I have been looking all through my Dads pictures and paperwork. I asked my Dad if he remembered Fred Dalley and he said yes he was the one with the Accordion, I had a go at trying to play it but I couldn't. Unfortunately he does not remember whether Fred was in the same company as him or not and my searching has only found him listed in the ranks who took part in the Rhine Crossing. He is listed as 2062384 Pte Dalley F Regards Carolee
I am trying to find out some info on my grandfather Alfred Ronald Dowrick. I think he was in 6th airborne of the first airborne army. 12th Devonshire, company D. Along side his best mate Major John Bampfylde who was killed in action on D-day on one of the bridges. My grandfather then went onto Battle of the bulge, River Rhine. I have attached a photo of him in uniform, the only one I have. Thanks.
