The History of these men is being forgotten out here in Zimbabwe, so I'm hoping to be able to write an article to remind my fellow Zimbabweans. It will include stories about Black Rhodesian soldiers as well.
Hello Paul You seem to know a lot about 156 Bn. Please can you help me with some information about my uncle? Kenneth Broderick Hughes Service No. 305302 He died on 19th September 1944 at Arnham. I know where his grave is in Oosterbeck but I'd be interested to know what part of the battle he was involved in. Many thanks Janice
Hello Paul You seem to know a lot about 156 Bn. Please can you help me with some information about my uncle? Kenneth Broderick Hughes Service No. 305302 He died on 19th September 1944 at Arnham. I know where his grave is in Oosterbeck but I'd be interested to know what part of the battle he was involved in. Many thanks Janice PM sent .........
Hi guys. I'm very new so forgive my lack of knowledge. My wife's grandfather was Lt. Jeffrey noble of the 156th mmg support. I think he's one of the only officers left. He hasn't been very well recently. We see him quite often but I don't like to pry about his time in the war. He has spoken about it a bit to me. But he doesn't like to tell my wife as she is a sensitive soul and I think it would upset her. But she is desperate to know about her family. I have tried in vain for the last 3 weeks to get a copy of a book that would really explain his life, and one book that seems to mention him a lot in person is 'from Delhi to Arnhem" by john o Reilly but I can't seem to find a copy for love nor money. Does anyone know where I could get one for Christmas for my wife. I'd be happy to pay full price for a second hand copy. Or does anyone know of any other books that are as good. Any help would be so gratefully appreciated Regards Alain
Hello Alain Try direct from the publisher. It's a truly great book. http://www.thorotonpublishing.com/main.html
Going back to the photo of the dead German, the photo was taken from the position occupied by the Guard Section of C Company 1 Border - Jim Swan was in charge of the section and he told me a bit about it - it definitely wasn't a woman, Jim went through his bread bag to see if he had anything to eat (found a sausage) - he said he had been elsewhere when they attacked and were killed - he also mentioned that if you look at the photo you can see the leg of a Bren gun sticking up (just in front of the Germans foot) - his Bren Gunner got a bit carried away and forgot his short bursts and it jammed so it was rolled to one side. Jim had a copy of this photo (amongst others) that he had been given by the AFPU guys after the Battle. Regards Alistair
From Jim's notes - this was on the 19th and e had been sent off to make contact with 18 Platoon, "I got back to Company HQ and reported what the position was as I had seen it. Soon after all hell broke loose, mortar and heavy MG fire, what had happened was that a strong force of Germans had come through the left of 18 Platoons position and were heading straight for 15 Platoon and Company HQ positions. We managed to hold our ground but it was touch and go and we were nearly overrun. One German fell dead just a couple of yards from Major Neil’s slit trench. The section Bren was damaged beyond repair, the Bren team Rainford and Matthews, had fired so much the barrel had seized and when they tried to change barrels found that the second barrel in its carrier had been hit on the gas regulator and was useless so they finished off with rifles. 15 Platoon had a bashing and in the aftermath the wounded were removed to the Battalion Casualty Clearing Post, my section and remainder of Company HQ were unscathed. As things settled down we brewed up and got another Bren from our CSM Gerry Stringer, where he got it from we did not ask. Except for increased mortar rounds and bullets zipping through the trees overhead, things had settled down." also "A drizzle of rain had started, but it was refreshing rather than a nuisance. We had shared some bread and sausage during the day, we got this from the haversack of a German who had been killed earlier and was lying in front of us." Alistair
Hello All, I believe that my grandad, Bryant Frederick (Tommy) Handley from Loughborough, Leicestershire, was part of the 156 bn. I have just ordered his death certificate (he died in 2005, and I can't find the copy that I had when I flew back to America after his funeral) so I will be ordering his military records shortly. However, if any of you have any information on him, I would appreciate it. I know he was a Para in WWII, and I know he was mentioned in some capacity in Tony Thomas' book. He used to speak about his time in Palestine, and I also know he was in Anzio at some point. I was honoured to take him back there in 2002. Anybody who could help, I'd appreciate it! Thanks! Natalie
4615125 Pte. Bryant Frederick Handley Enlisted with Duke of Wellington's Regiment Wounded with D.W.R. 31.01.1944 Italy 156 Parachute Battalion disbanded 10.12.1944 Missing Battalion 1945 to 13.12.1947 2/3rd Parachute Battalion, formed 13.12.1947. Disbanded in June 1948 4615125 Pte. B. F. Handley 2/3rd Parachute Battalion GSM Palestine 1945-1948
There’s no trace of a Pte Handley serving with 156 Parachute Battalion at Arnhem. Had he been Seaborne tail, UK Base, or one of the few survivors from Arnhem, he would have been transferred to the 1st Parachute Battalion when the remnants of the 156 were moved to Grimsthorpe and amalgamated with the 1st Battalion on 25 October 1944.
