12th Battalion Devonshire Regiment

I have two nominal roles for the 12th Battalion Devons, one for D-Day and the other for Operation Varsity, whats the name of the soldier you ate looking for?

 

just thought i would share some photos i have


Arthur Taylor


Dudley Anderson


L/cpl Henry Fooks


L/cpl Victor Drewett


Richard (Dick) Sweetland


Harold Black


Leslie Hills (center) can anybody else name the rest


Lt Bernard Horwood


unknown


Unknown



NCO's from D Company. Leonard Forman (circled) Victor Drewett (fourth from left, second row from rear

 

Thanks for your assistance. The soldiers name is 2617826 Pte (possible SGT) T. Pearce. Confirmed 12 Battalion Mortars in Java.

Thanks

Paul

 

Outstanding photos thanks for sharing them.

Regards

Paul

 

reddevon,

It's good to see you have added to your 12th Devonshire picture collection since your other posting. Hopefully someone has a clue on the Horsa group shot with chalk 33 - that is if it was a pre-campaign photo?

Cheers

 

unusual that the first pic has the "pegasus" facing backwards?

 

Lovely photos, thank you for posting

Lesley

 

The picture was taken from Arthur Taylor's book Shine Like a Glow Worm, how he got away with his Pegasus patches is beyond me. I have a few from the 12th Battalion before they became Airborne.

 

There is
Pte.T.Pearce 5627502
Pte.M.Pearce 3935304.
L/cpl.J.Pearce 14552320
Pte.F.Pearce 14630720
Pte.R.Pearce 13092981. wounded in action
mentioned in the D-Day muster roll.
Pte.W.Pierce 5627339
Cpl.J.Pearce 14557329
mentioned in the Rhine Crossing muster roll

 

Thanks for the research and the list of names. Due to the different number on the T. Pearce listed I'd say the search continues. I know Pearce was part of 2 Cdo / 11 SAS prior to the formation of the 1st Bn. I've confirmed that he served in North Africa, Siciliy and Italy and then pops up again in Java! His medal groups indicates service in France / Germany but I'm currently stumped as to who he served with? The search continues...

Thanks again

Paul

 

If his medalgroup include a GSM with a S.E.Asia clasp he was in the Dutch East Indies. On Java it was primary 5th Ind Div on East Java, 23 Ind Div on West Java and 5 Para Bde on Mid Java (Semarang). PM me if it is I have a few pages on Java.

 

Thanks for the research and the list of names. Due to the different number on the T. Pearce listed I'd say the search continues. I know Pearce was part of 2 Cdo / 11 SAS prior to the formation of the 1st Bn. I've confirmed that he served in North Africa, Siciliy and Italy and then pops up again in Java! His medal groups indicates service in France / Germany but I'm currently stumped as to who he served with? The search continues...

Thanks again

Paul

Paul

I attach L/Cpl T Pearce's name from the 11 SAS Nominal roll. You'll see that he was in the same section as Reg Curtis of Arnhem fame (author of Churchill's volunteers)

John

 

Thanks Tijger and John.

My apologies as he has a GSM SE ASIA so Dutch East Indies.

Thanks for that scan John. His early service is easy to track due to lists such as the one shown but for the life of me I can't find his service between late 43 and and his service in the Dutch East Indies.

Thanks again John and Tijger for your help

 

Thanks to John I've just realized my mistake of mistaking the 12 Battalion Devon's with the 12 Parachute Battalion from the Green Howards! I got over excited when I saw 12 Battalion and nominal roll in the same sentence. Thanks again John for the help.

Regards

Paul

 

Hi
Do you have any info on Private Albert Rand, 12th Devons in the nominal roles?

Thanks
Bob

 

as mentioned in the pm i sent you, i have a roll call for the Normandy operation and the Rhine crossing and he is not mentioned in either of them i'm afraid

 

It seems there's a lot of interest for photographs of 12th Devons men. You could find a film on internetwebsite of pathé news: in this you see Devon soldiers embarking for operation Normandy. You will also find these in the IWM in film and photograph department. There you also could find photographs and films which were taken in the rest area in Normandy. There's one small film showing a CSM and a group of 12 Devons waiting for an ENSA show to start. If you would like more details and really think of visiting IWM or would like more info on 12th Devons or 8th Para, you may always send me a PM. I would be very interested to hear from any family members of 12th Devons or of 6th Airborne Division veterans. I hope we would be able to help each other. Best wishes and good hunting on this interesting forum. 8PARA

 

Is there a link to the bits of film you mention?
The Living History Group i belong to have been invited to attend the very last reunion of the 12th Battalion Veterans in October in Exeter, where we have been asked to put on a small display of war time kit and hope fully i can get a load more photos. Do you have any photos of the 12th Devons?

 

Hi Red
Do you have a contact for the reunion as my father-in-law served with them and my partner (his daughter) would like to attens as well if possible.

 

The picture was taken from Arthur Taylor's book Shine Like a Glow Worm, how he got away with his Pegasus patches is beyond me. I have a few from the 12th Battalion before they became Airborne.

Hi guys. Does anyone own the book by Taylor and can that person perhaps tell me if this soldier also fought at Arnhem? I guess not, being in 6th airborne? But somewhere I read that the book also addresses Arnhem. Thanks, Paul