hoping someone on here could provide me with some awswers or point me in the right direction . I was in Arnhem this year and took a trip to the Hartenstein museum (well worth it) in one of there display cabinets was the cap badge from the Buckinghamshire Battalion , as they were a territorial battalion would they have been Airborne trained ? and for that matter were they actually in Arnhem. i know that there were members of the ox bucks in Arnhem but not sure which battalion . would be grateful if anyone has any info on this as this would help with my research . Thank you
2nd Bn Ox and Bucks were in the 6th Airborne Division yes but from what i have seen and been told there were members of the OB LI in Arnhem with the 1st Airborne
Some Ox and Bucks were involved with OMG, the formed part of the HQ Defence .See link below. Edward Waby | ParaData
My dad Sgt LF Carter was originally 2nd Ox & Bucks & was involved in training the Ox & Bucks Coy's who converted to air landing (glider) & became attached to 6th Airborne. They were the lead troops in the Pegasus Bridge operation. Dad transferred to the Parachute Regiment in July'44 joining 10th Bn & was KIA at Arnhem
Looks like there isn't a 2 Buckinghamshire (OBLI) war diary for NWE. Their 1944 diary stops on June before they deploy to France and there is nothing listed in WO 171 NWE that I can see. There are diaries for 1 Bucks though.
In giving the OBLI war chronicles the once over, there is nothing printed for the 2nd Buckinghamshire battalion from 1941 onwards. In 3 of the 4 Vols (OBLI War Chronicles) the editor is appealing for a sub-editor from the 2nd Bucks Battalion to come forward with a narrative for the battalion. Sadly no one does and the 2nd Bucks Battalion are omitted from the chronicles.
Here is what I have on the 2nd Buckinghamshire Battalion: 2nd Buckinghamshire Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (T.A.) 184th Infantry Brigade – 3 September 1939 to 5 July 1944 The battalion was raised from the Buckinghamshire Battalion on March 31st, 1939. It had its first officer commissioned on May 17th, 1939 and was formed at Chesham on June 28th, 1939. It represented the south and southeast of the county and was based at Slough. It served in the United Kingdom and was placed into suspended animation on July 6th, 1944 at Winchelsea.
The 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion became 2nd canadian Army T Force in February 1945. Arnhem became one of their targets in April 1945 during the liberation by I believe 49Div. This may account for the badge turning up there.
The 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion became 2nd canadian Army T Force in February 1945. Arnhem became one of their targets in April 1945 during the liberation by I believe 49Div. This may account for the badge turning up there. The Ox and Bucks were there in September 1944 with the roll of HQ Defence Platoon at the the Hartenstein Hotel during Operation Market Garden, this is why their cap badge is displayed there.
Just incase anyone doesn't know - Remember the query is about the Buckinghamshire battalion of the Ox Bucks and not the Ox Bucks battalions. I found this a problem when I first started researching the regiments rolls in France during 1940.
Also check out this link. Beyond Pegasus Bridge » - Milton Keynes Branch Hi kingarthur you may be interested to know that I am the author of that article so do know a little about the detachment of the 2nd (Airborne) battalion OBLI who were at Arnhem as part of the defence platoon, that is not in question. The orignal question referred to the badge of the Buckinghamshire Battalion and as per my post they were also there in 1945. Philip is correct that the badge dspicted was worn by the OBLI members of the defence platoon, the Buckinghamshire Battalion always wore their own black maltese cross cap badge. I hope that clarifys my post. Regards Steve
Hi kingarthur you may be interested to know that I am the author of that article so do know a little about the detachment of the 2nd (Airborne) battalion OBLI who were at Arnhem as part of the defence platoon, that is not in question. The orignal question referred to the badge of the Buckinghamshire Battalion and as per my post they were also there in 1945. Philip is correct that the badge dspicted was worn by the OBLI members of the defence platoon, the Buckinghamshire Battalion always wore their own black maltese cross cap badge. I hope that clarifys my post. Regards Steve Steve I stand corrected,it was a hasty post on my part as I didn't read your post correctly. A case of fingers going into action before engaging ones eye and brains, my apologies. Dave
Steve I stand corrected,it was a hasty post on my part as I didn't read your post correctly. A case of fingers going into action before engaging ones eye and brains, my apologies. Dave Hi Dave, No worries Steve
Well, I had a dig on that so called thing called the "internets". Now, we all know Wikipedia isn't always the accurate place to look. But I found something that might answer the OP's questions. 48th (South Midland) Division - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Unit history 1939 - 1945 The Division was still a 1st Line Territorial Army division of the British Army during the Second World War . In 1940 the division was sent to France to join the British Expeditionary Force . It was involved in the short battle and the retreat from Dunkirk. After returning from France the division did not serve outside the United Kingdom for the duration of the war. It was reduced to a Reserve Division in 1944. It does not appear to have been reformed in the Territorial Army after the Second World War. World War II formation [edit] Infantry 143rd Infantry Brigade 1st Bn. Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 5th Bn. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment 1/7th Bn. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment 144th Infantry Brigade 5th Bn. The Gloucestershire Regiment 2nd Bn. The Royal Warwickshire Regiment 8th Bn. The Worcestershire Regiment 145th Infantry Brigade 4th Bn. The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 4th Bn. The Gloucestershire Regiment 1st Bn. Buckinghamshire Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry [edit] Support Units 48th Reconnaissance Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps (Later 43rd Recon Regt. RAC) 1st Lothian and Border Horse 67th Field Regiment RA 68 Field Regiment RA 99 Field Regiment RA 53 Anti-Tank Regiment RA 48th(South Midlands)Division Royal Signals TA 224 Field Company RE 225 Field Company RE 226 Field Company RE 227 Field Park Company RE 48th(South Midlands) Divisional Royal Army Service Corps Territorial Army Headquarters - CRASC (Commander Royal Army Service Corps) 515 Ammunition Company RASC TA 517 Petrol Company RASC TA 518 Supply Company RASC TA From the wikipedia site for the 145 (South) Brigade (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia145 (South) Brigade (United Kingdom) History First formed in 1908 as the 145th Infantry Brigade, the brigade, together with 143 Brigade and 144 Brigade eventually formed the 48th (South Midland) Division in Second Army during World War I. The brigade was in continuous service in France until the Armistice in 1918 when it was disbanded. During this period it was composed of four infantry battalions: 1/5th Battalion, The Gloucestershire Regiment (until September 1918) 1/4th Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1/1st (Buckinghamshire) Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry 1/4th Battalion, Princess Charlotte of Wales's (Royal Berkshire Regiment) The Brigade saw action in France at the start of the Second World War as part of I Corps. Following its withdrawal, it became a training formation in the UK until it was again disbanded in 1945. Does this mean that they weren't at Arnhem? Def not in 44, and according to wiki, their only action was in France. Also found a link about a Soldier who was captured in France. Private Les Allen Jason.