2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment

Discussion in 'Airborne' started by wtid45, May 2, 2010.

  1. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Hi

    I have just registered because I came across your forum when looking for Information on my grandfather Joseph Heyes. He was in 2 Para during the Second World War and if anyone has any information on him for me that would be great.

    Many thanks

    JLB
    Hi JLB, welcome to the forum you will find plenty of help in your quest for knowledge, so to start I cant find Joseph Heyes listed on the CWGC so I assume he survived the war:unsure: and next up it would be handy to know what you know about your Grandad in regards to where he served and any other info in regards to Platoon or Company within 2 Para, also if you have any pics that would be a great help sorry to bombard you but the more you can tell us the more we can help.And to kick start I can find no mention of your Grandad in the following books Without Tradtion, 2 Para 1941-1945 by Robert Peatling, which has a list of those captured in the town during the battle of Arnhem, and B Company Arrived by David Van Buggenum, telling the story of 2 Paras B Company at Arnhem. But rest assured more members will soon be along to help you further.All the best, Jason.
     
  2. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Hello all,

    I had the pleasure of meeting up with Dave on Thursday and we visited Mrs. Marshall, Harrys widow. Whilst we were chatting Mrs. Marshall looked again at the "Maison Carrie" picture and came up with a possible name for another one of the fellas in it. Standing at the back on the right, she thinks the mans name is Ernie Askew. She told us a great little tale concerning Harry and Ernie and she seemed pretty certain it was him.
    The same man appears in the picture of HQ Coy, 2 Para taken in Sept '42 and he is standing right next to Harry!

    I wonder if anyone out there recognises the name??

    Best regards.......................
     

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  3. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    I wonder if anybody out there knows anything about either of these two gentlemen? All I have is that they were both in 2 Para in 1943, possibly HQ or A Coy??
    Many thanks......:)
     

    Attached Files:

  4. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Hello all,

    I had the pleasure of meeting up with Dave on Thursday and we visited Mrs. Marshall, Harrys widow. Whilst we were chatting Mrs. Marshall looked again at the "Maison Carrie" picture and came up with a possible name for another one of the fellas in it. Standing at the back on the right, she thinks the mans name is Ernie Askew. She told us a great little tale concerning Harry and Ernie and she seemed pretty certain it was him.
    The same man appears in the picture of HQ Coy, 2 Para taken in Sept '42 and he is standing right next to Harry!

    I wonder if anyone out there recognises the name??

    Best regards.......................
    Paul there is mention of a T. R Askew in B Company Arrived.
     
  5. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Paul there is mention of a T. R Askew in B Company Arrived.


    Hi Jason

    Mrs Marshall was extremely adamant the it was Corporal Ernest/Ernie Askew, she also mentioned Ray Coates and Paddy Tiernan. In fact Paul has a picture that was sent to Harry signed Paddy and Ray, me thinks its probably the same fella's. Paddy apparently deserted from the Southern Irish Army to join the Para's.

    On another note I would ask you to look at my HQ Coy picture, the officer in the middle is Major Richard/Dickie Ashford but the is no mention of him in HQ only A coy, I an convinced its him and so is Paul, what do you think mate.

    Still looking at the picture fourth row up from the front then 4th left, I have now indentified the fella as L.Corporal Eric Perkins. I have had some correspondence with his daughter Jo and she has confirmed this to be correct.

    Some time soon she is going to transcribe his small diary, she thinks it may have some name and covers his voyage to Algeria and Tunisia. Just though you would be interested in an up date.

    Book is going well 20000 words in now and close to writting about the voyage to North Africa.

    Cheers

    Dave
     
  6. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Dave I just thought Ernie might be a nickname so found a Askew and threw it in the mix, although I tend to agree if she is that adamant! The mention of Tiernan, is intresting as you say he deserted from Southen Irish Army to join the Paras he was not alone some 5,000 did the same to serve the colours and I was hoping he might turn up in Brotherhood Of The Cauldron, but to no avail...........Ashford you mean the guy in pic 2 second row up 14th from the left yep thats him alright :lol: and the book looking good mate I look forward to seeing it the shelves in Tesco;) :D now my Dad pic 6 agree with you:D
     
  7. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Paul there is mention of a T. R Askew in B Company Arrived.

    Hi Jason,

    Yes, I saw the reference in B Coy Arrived and there is a photo of him but sadly it isn't the same fella. The Askew in the book (mentioned on pages 12,22,46,52,58,73,148 according to my database!! ;)) was batman to Lt. "Loopy" Levien and was wounded during the battle.

    Thanks for looking though mate, I appreciate it :)........
     
  8. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Dave I just thought Ernie might be a nickname so found a Askew and threw it in the mix, although I tend to agree if she is that adamant! The mention of Tiernan, is intresting as you say he deserted from Southen Irish Army to join the Paras he was not alone some 5,000 did the same to serve the colours and I was hoping he might turn up in Brotherhood Of The Cauldron, but to no avail...........Ashford you mean the guy in pic 2 second row up 14th from the left yep thats him alright :lol: and the book looking good mate I look forward to seeing it the shelves in Tesco;) :D now my Dad pic 6 agree with you:D

    By the time Ashford was in Tunisia he was with Acoy which was only a couple of months after the pic was taken,I think Keith Mountford must of taken over his role for Africa.But can find a single mention of Ashford ever being in HQ Coy, over to you my little Airborne ferret.lol.

    I think its a very good chance thats your dad noses and brows are always a good starting point.

    Dave
     
  9. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Dave, did you mean 4th from the left or 5th?? I've looked and the 4th guy doesn't look like the other picture I've got of Perkins but the 5th does a bit?? :unsure:
     
  10. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Dave, did you mean 4th from the left or 5th?? I've looked and the 4th guy doesn't look like the other picture I've got of Perkins but the 5th does a bit?? :unsure:

    As your looking at it left to right

    3rd row up 4th in, hes in line with Ernie, if that makes sense.lol
     
  11. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    I can see my error now I said 4th Row in my message to Jason. Doh
     
  12. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    :lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol: They are all starting to look the same!
     
  13. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    HELP!! MY EYES ARE BLEEDING!!!!!!! :lol::lol:
     
  14. TomTAS

    TomTAS Very Senior Member

    Hi All

    Does anyone need a copy of Without Tradition Robert Peatling Papareback copy.. I have a spare one going ???

    Cheers
    Tom
     
  15. Stuart H

    Stuart H New Member

    This is my first post so i would like to say Hello to everyone.
    The reason i posted in this thread is a friend whose Father was in the 2nd battalion parachute regiment. I have purchased his paybook letters and beret but he has passed the medals down to his Grandson so he doesn't know what they were except there were 8 of them. He is keen to know anymore information on his father and all information will be sent to him if you can find any.
    Private Joseph William Ralphs first served with the BEF in 1940 with the Middlesex and also Cheshire regiment and was evacuated at Dunkirk, in 1941 he joined the 1st Parachute Brigade but unaware what he did until 1942. He then was with the 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment were he served in North Africa 30.10.1942 - 9.12.1943 After that he was sent to Arnhem were he was dropped on the 17th he fought until the 24th and was captured and sent to Stalag IVB. The Veterans son told me his fathers heroic event during Arnhem, he put his own life at risk to save a fellow soldier who was unable to walk and the veterans son remembers this soldier coming round for Christmases and told me he bought him presents for his birthday even when his father passed away he still carried on as a thank you for his Dad saving his life. William Joseph Ralphs was in the Medium Machine Gun Platoon Support Company, His commander was Monsell. After being released from Stalag IVB he joined the Army Air Corps and served until 1946, That is all i can find if you guys can find out anymore it would be much appreciated and everything found will be forwarded on, thank you in advance.
     
  16. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Hello Stuart and welcome to the forum.

    I've just had a quick look through a couple of books about 2 Para and I'm afraid not much has turned up.
    In "Without Tradition" Private Ralphs is on the list of people taken prisoner at Arnhem (which you knew already) and he is also on a list of award recommendations that was submitted by the Battalion. He was recommended for a Military Medal but sadly the recommendation was turned down. I've attached a picture of his CO, John Monsell.

    All the best............:)
     

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  17. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Stuart, can you confirm Ralphs service number. It looks like 4128881??

    All the best.............
     
  18. Stuart H

    Stuart H New Member

    Stuart, can you confirm Ralphs service number. It looks like 4128881??

    All the best.............


    Thanks for the information i will pass it on. Yes that is his correct service number, His P.O.W number is 91427 i think at least that is what it say on the letter. Does anyone have a picture of the support company MMG Platoon maybe he can spot him out.
     
  19. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    I think if you hold on a minute Stuart, you may be in luck.....;). I know of another member who has just such a picture..........
     
  20. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Hello Stuart

    Although my grandfather was 2nd Battalion HQ Coy I have a picture him prior to Arnhem with a machine gun crew.The picture has been verified by the Airborne museum as MG Platoon during a recent research visit for the book I am writing about about my grandfather Ralph Baverstocks time in 2para. The picture is an original and was in Ralph Baverstock pocessions.

    My grandfather is standing far left.



    [​IMG]
     

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