My relation was Lt. DCE WELLS, who commanded one of the sticks that took off on 5th June 1944 from Harwell. If anyone has any information about him at all I would be most grateful.
Award Military Medal Sgt. Eric James Rutherford Lindores, 22nd Independent Parachute Company (2884928) Stirling Observer 11th January 1945
Hi. I've just come across this. My Dad was Robert Bob Stoodley in Bob Midwoods stick. You can see from the above photo that his name has been tippexed out and replaced by R Povey, who I understand did not drop. I've enclosed the original.
Povey didn’t drop? Did he go later on? He was from my hometown and I have a newspaper article saying news reached his parents he is safe after going on D Day? Alex
Hi, Povey is named in both lists. There are 11 men in the Midwood stick according to the Stoodley list. Regards ... Later - but don't understand why Stoodley's name was replaced by Povey's on the first list.
According to the Pegasus Archive the pair, both Lance Corporals, are seated next to each other during the staged briefing at RAF Harwell (Stoodley to right). Regards ...
Yo, A photo of the Midwood stick near their Albermarle shows 12 men total with 11 wearing Mae West life jackets. Regards ...
Without doubt Povey did not drop on the first drop setting off under Bob Midwood or in the other 3 planes from RAF Harwell. If you look at the two documents, POVEY has signed it and it is also his writing that has replaced my Dad's name Dad (Bob Stoodley ) was the last living member of the Pathfinders (22nd Independent) when he died in 2021. He never understood why Povey claimed he dropped on that flight, but it is not correct. There were only 10 in the Stick and Hollingworth also went, and I think also with a Journalist. (Bob Midwoods stick) V1740 . It is something that concerned my father, and I felt that I needed to put the facts straight as that is a doctored document, as you can see. Dad used to go and visit Paddy O'Sullivan's grave every year, and we still do. Paddy O'Sullivan's Grave is looked after by a lovely young French lady in the cemetry in Touffreville. When I was young I met Jack Leveratt and Ken Naughton, and maybe Bordman and Bob Midwood - I am also in contact with Bob Midwoods son, who will also confirm Povey did not jump that day. I understand Povey was Bob Midwood's Batman. I have a few photos. Also, A detailed account about my Dad is on MY website www.rapidrich.co.uk Richard Stoodley
If you look at the two documents, POVEY has signed it and it is also his writing that has replaced my Dad's name. He has even used the R. and the last 'ey' from the name, but the spacing is obvious that Stoodley was originally there. I dont understand either, and it would be unfair as to guess. But without doubt Povey was not on any of thoise first Pathfinder drops. Richard Stoodley
This is the document which shows V1740 - Bob Midwood's stick was thje first to drop. Regards. Richard Stoodley
Fascinating ... That is quite the story the extent of which I haven't fully grasped. So there was a reporter that flew with the stick but didn't jump, returning with the aircraft to England. I wonder if he is in the stick pic and who is the 12th man next to Midwood without life vest or camo face cream ... mmh? Another view of Povey (L) and your Father next to each other at briefing. They are the two men to the left. Regards ...
Hello Cee. Thank you for that. Ah, I got confused. After re-reading the letter I posted 'above' from air Marshal Hollinghurst, the 'Reporter' was in another stick. If I remember correctly, the 12 men in that photo alongside the Albemarle may not have all been in the same stick, but I remember Dad telling me mostly who was who, and now I regret not labeling them for verification for other families. I know the one sat down on the right below the two stood is Sgt Jack Long. One is Midwood, one is my Dad and another from reading above is Morrisey. ... I believe that it is Povey who is stood without the life vest, which would make sense. Ive got a few other photos and will try to dig out what I have got, Ive just been really busy as Im planning to ride (cycle) across the USA , solo, 5000 miles. In June 2022 I rode following my Dad's WW2 journey (as best I could) setting off from the end of the runway at RAF Harwell at 11.03am on 5th June (Dad took off 11.03pm 5th June) to Stalag IVB, following the POW train route that he most likely (and in some places definitely) took. I planned to do the Ride in June 2021 but covid put an end to that, and I was gutted as Dad passed in August that year. I rode in 2022 and it was different because I wanted to call him and tell him where I was etc...... but spookily, when I finally turned off my cycling computer after 21 days riding non-stop (incidently Dad was on the POW train for 21 days), I added up my total mileage and had covered 1924.45 miles ..... Dad's birthday was 1924 - 4. 5. (4th May) SPOOKY !! On the ride I raised over £11,000 for Support Our Paras
I see, If it was a temporary mixed group that may explain the extra man among the seated men. Yeah I thought the "12th man" may have been Povey as well as he does appear in other photos and footage helping out rather than preparing himself for jumping. There is certainly no lack of camerawork on the Midwood stick prior to D-Day. Another thread on the subject here which I vaguely recall: Which Battalion? 22nd Independent Parachute Company Well done on your bicycling fund raising efforts - very impressive. Regards ...
Hello Richard, it would be a good thing (I think) for you to reply ( as your post above) to my post here: Which Battalion? 22nd Independent Parachute Company in the other 22nd thread that Cee has highlighted. If any folks subsequently searching were to find only that thread with my post there as it stands they could be put on an incorrect track. Setting the record straight there and all that (which I'm all for) would be a good thing. Thanks for posting up here, and for your entries on Paradata. All very much appreciated. Kind regards, always, Jim.
Does seem obvious now when you see the pics of the guys getting ready. Povey is putting cam cream on, and has none on himself. He is wearing the 22 Ind Coy flashes on his jacket, most likely not worn on the jump for Opsec. But then he’s in my local paper saying family have been informed he’s well after the invasion!?
It is a mystery that we will probably never know the reasons he claimed to have gone. If he dropped on another plane / day I do not know. Rich
