Ox’s and bucks D company my grandad

Discussion in 'User Introductions' started by Mark dell, Jun 18, 2019.

  1. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

    Hi all
    I’m a new member and a total novice at all this, it’s a bit of a learning curve.
    My grandad was ox’s and bucks 6th airborne D company defence platoon.
    I have only yesterday got back from D-day tour which was great. I manatto decipher his records with my battle field guide and came up with this.
    So as far as we know he landed at landing zone w on D-day at around 9pm and drive a jeep with a 6lb gun being towed. He then went on to Ranville and Herouvillette but met opposition at Escoville and retreated back to Herouvillette. After this from what I’ve read set up HQ at chateau st come. This is as far as I’ve got. Here are some pics including his para helmet dated 1942.
    If anyone with more knowledge can add to this I would be very grateful indeed.
    My grandad is back row centre.
     
  2. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

  3. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

  4. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Might be worth posting his full records

    TD
     
  6. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

    Hi Tricky
    I am trying but it doesn’t like the photos
     
  7. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

  8. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

  9. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

  10. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

  11. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Hi Mark,

    According to the cropped page above your Grandad went to the 6th Airlanding Brigade Defence Platoon on the 29th of April, 1944. The Defence Platoon is not mentioned in the Orbat for Normandy but could have been No.15 Platoon which was part of B Coy? Lt. Michael Aston their CO was later listed as Defence Platoon Commander for Operation Varsity. I'm not entirely sure if his platoon acted in that capacity for Normandy?

    Lieutenant Michael Aston

    Your Grandad was put on the X(ii) List on June 16th and presumably returned to England. The odd thing is his Service Record doesn't give a date for his arrival in Normandy.

    Regards ...

    Edit - Defence Platoon?
     
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2019
  12. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

    Hi cee
    Thanks for your reply [​IMG]
    Does this help?
    He did return around the 24th June with shell shock presumably from the fire fight at escoville.
    [​IMG]
     
  13. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Mark

    I came across two references to the Defence Platoon in the 6th Airlanding Brigade HQ WD:

    8th June 1944
    Place: Bas de Ranville
    1725 - 20mm of def pl opened fire on bomb carrying Focke Wulf.

    9th June 1944
    Place: Bas de Ranville
    2103 - FW 190 bombed HQ. Little damage. One ME 109 shot down by Bde Def Pl. Two probables.


    So they definitely had an anti-aircraft gun. Otherwise not much found on the Platoon so far and who their CO may have been. My guess above that it could have been 15 Platoon can't be correct as they belonged to a Rifle Coy.

    How would they have arrived on D-Day? Brigadier Kindersley arrived by glider with an advanced party on D-Day morn about 3:30 AM. The main body of the Brigade HQ left on Operation Mallard D-Day evening from Brize Norton (chalk numbers 94-108) destined for LZ N. There's very little info on the occupants of these gliders. Your info, however, has the Brigade Defence Platoon landing on LZ W.

    Regards ...
     
    Mark dell likes this.
  14. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

    Just found this one
    [​IMG]
     
  15. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

    Also he told us when he was alive that he drove a jeep from the glider and there was a 6lb gun also
    This is his helmet
    [​IMG]
     
    Chris C and Cee like this.
  16. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

    And another shot
    [​IMG]
     
  17. Mark dell

    Mark dell Member

    And dated ‘42 which I’m told is and early one !?
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Cee

    Cee Senior Member Patron

    Mark,

    Going by the high rim and the classification info on Paradata I would say it was a “Helmet, Steel, Airborne Troops”:

    "It (‘P’ Type) was replaced in mid 1942 by the “Helmet, Steel, Airborne Troops” which dispensed with the hard rubber rim and replaced it with a compact 1 inch high fibre one and cloth for the interior dome, but retained the leather chin strap albeit in modified form and a black colour. In the interior rubber blocks were added to the liner to absorb knocks."

    A lovely memento of your grandad's time with the Airborne.

    Regards ...
     
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