Hi Guys, Chesson side. My father was too young to enlist but was a souvenir hunter first class, he lived in Wichling. Wichling was right under the German flight path for Detling Aerodrome during the battle of Britan. My father did meet a German fighter pilot when he crash landed in a field next to lynstead church. The local kids all ran to the turnip field where the Messerschmitt had landed & watched the pilot get out, sit on the wing and light a cigarette while placing his sidearm next to him, then waiting for the home guard to arrive. The only thing he said to the kids was “Kaput run out of fuel”. My Fathers father (George or Sid as he was better known 3rd from left top row in the home guards attachment below) was to old, much to his disgust to volunteer for active service. He had to be content with being part of Churchill’s army. My father however loved it. Getting to help with the guns, grenades, knives & fags! Later in the war the farm that my grandfather managed was commandeered by the New Zealand army. And used as a camp for the Maori’s while they trained for the D-Day landings. Later in the war they had German POW’s help out on the farm. My father’s uncle Len was a bit of a radical & decided to join the Irish Fusiliers. I don’t know much more about Len other than he got my father a luger & used to sit on the veranda once his leave had finished saying “if they want me they will come and get me, they know where I am” (which they always did). My Fathers uncle Frank was in the Palestine police force before the war. He came back to England and joined the Buffs (I think). He then went to North Africa where he was mentioned in dispatches. (I don’t know if it was because he had been out in the desert before the war, but, the family seemed to think he was in either the LRDG or SAS). He then went on to Italy, I am not sure if this was via Sicily. Next he has joined the Para troops. He did his basic training & jumps in Palestine. He was then put in 4 Para, 10th Battalion. The family also seemed to think that Frank & another chap by the name of Barrett were Roy Urquhart’s body guards. Sgt. F.H. Chesson 6285440 was aged 30 when K.I.A. in an ambush at the 6Km. marker outside Arnhem on 19-09-1944. Frank is buried at Oosterbeek. 6285440 Sgt. Frank Herbert CHESSON, 10 Parachute Regiment: 19/09/1944, Army number My father’s mother’s maiden name I think was Corp or Corps. Both her brothers were Officers, one a Royal engineer the other in the royal artillery. I would very much like your help in finding out more about the Chessons. Thank you Shaun Chesson.
Hi Shaun, I have attached Sgt Chessons jump record from Kabrit. My grandfather Pte Upperton was on course no 34 he was also Ex 2 Royal Sussex Regiment. Regards Steve
Hi, Welcome to the forum. The only certain way to obtain accurate details of your various relatives military service is to apply to MOD for their service records - via this link Get a copy of military service records You don’t need a service number as MOD will search on full name and DOB. You will need to get a death certificate for those relatives who survived but the CWGC print out will suffice for fatalities like Sgt Chesson A A C. Each application will cost £30 (plus death certificate). Once you have the individual records you ought to be able to confirm/disprove the various family stories you mention. You may be able to track the officers you mention via their promotion entries in the London Gazette. Good Luck Steve