Hi I am hoping find out either the names of any of the Southern Rhodesians who served in the 1st Airborne Division or of any information regarding the number of Southern Rhodesians involved in Market Garden. I know that there were about 20 who joined the 156th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment in 1942/1943 in the Middle East. I've also read somewhere that 2 more joined 11th Battalion and were involved in the operations at Leros, Samos and Cos in 1943. The only name I have is of Private Ben Diedricks, B Coy, 156th Battalion who helped Major John Waddy. If anyone could help I would appreciate it.
Found this. My father told me that he came from a wealthy family and had gone off to fight in the war, in which he served in an airborne unit, and was dropped at Arnhem in operation "Market Garden", where he was taken prisoner. The Fletchers of Mull And another. Bert joined the BSA Police in June 1946. He was born in Dublin and came from a military family. Bert first worked for a newspaper company, after leaving school, but shortly before WWII he had, apparently, falsified his age to join the Territorial Army. The outbreak of war saw him called up early, with the Queen's Own Dorset Yeomanry, and serving in the Middle East. He transferred to the Parachute Regiment in early 1943 and served in North Africa and Italy. During the Battle of Arnhem, (September 1944) he was captured and held as a POW until June 1945, when he rejoined his regiment. He served a further year with the Parachute Regiment before demobilising and shortly thereafter joining the BSA Police. http://www.rhodesianservices.org/user/image/publication08-2012v2.pdf
I believe that one of the Rhodesian SAS during the bush war had jumped at Arnhem possibly from one of the Dakotas which later were used in Rhodesia.
861184 CSM Stan Standish BEM jumped with 156 Battalion at Arnhem. I don't know if he was a Southern Rhodesian but he was one of the founder members of the Rhodesian SAS. Cheers Arnhem
That is brilliant on Dugald Fletcher. Thanks. I had heard of Stan Standish. Some of the characters still living here in Zim have some great stories about him. They say he wasn't a Rhodesian when he served at Arnhem. Bert Fremantle, though, i had not heard of. I'll have to ask a mate of mine who was BSAP to find out more. Thanks for the help though this is more than i've been able to find and i'm living here!
I recall a Stan Standish story on the flight in to a hot DZ in Mozambique - looking very pensive and quiet - noticed that he was staring at the No Plate inside the fuselage bulkhead on the Dak and muttering "last time I jumped out of this one was at Arnhem".
I have spoken about the Rhodesians with Major Waddy and others of B. Company in the eighties during the reunions, they all mention a dozen or so join the Battalion, but only could remember Ben, he is also the only one on the photographs in Italy, I must have a list of names somewhere with Rhodesians, can not tell you if they were with the Battalion at Arnhem, but as soon as I find it I will send you a PM
CSM Standish When I was at Sandhurst (1959-61) the Academy RSM, Jacky Lord, well known in both Para and Grenadier Guards, was fond of quoting this saying. A great guy, though I did not discover the half of it till well after I left the place. Chris
Dugald's Record Born in Bulawayo 06/11/1907 Educated and matriculated at Plumtree School 1917 to 1926 Captained School 1st Cricket Team Head Prefect Commanding officer of school cadets Interschool boxing (Light Heavy Weight) ? Unbeaten Attended Rhodes University 1927 ? 1930 Studied Survey & Geology Boxed 1st Team Rugby 1st Team Mining: He was an official learner on ERPM Gold Mine in Johannesburg during 1931-32 He obtained a Mine Manager's Certificate He returned to Rhodesia and got employment as a Shaft Sinker at Fred Mine, Filabusi, 1933-34 During 1935 Colin started mining with Dugald at the True Blue Mine (Filabusi). Dugald had a disagreement with the labour and all went on strike. Colin asked his friend Hamish Campbell Rodger to take over the mine Dugald started Litle Wonder mine in Chelo farm in 1936. At Little Wonder Dugald had labour trouble again. Colin then decided to close the mine in 1938 and move to Queque. Sometime that year they moved to the Babs mine, 27 miles west of Queque Active 2nd World War Service 1940,42,43,44,45 Black Watch Regiment (North Africa ? Parachuting) Served in India, Burma, Crete, Italy D Day invasion of Normandy Taken prisoner at Arnheim (Germany) for 8 months Demobbed in 1945 At Demobilisation in Salisbury he refused all war pay and gratuities, clothing etc. He was in a state of mental confusion regarding war, religion, politics etc Refused treatment Dugald stopped handling money from 1945 Mining 1945-47 with Colin at Babs Mine He was always argumentative and used to flare up very often. He and Mary were eventually at loggerheads. He disappeared for 2 weeks, he was found by Colin and Peter in the Ingodomer area near Gokwe, camped by a small river. Peter took him to Zimbele and after a short stay he took off to Little Wonder Mine Dugald became a recluse from 1948 to 1981 Colin used to take supplies to Dugald every 6 months. Dugald refused a bed a blankets, Refused clothes etc. For years he did not wear clothes (just a loin cloth) He was a vegetarian and was a good gardener. He used to pull water from the Little Wonder mine shaft with a home made windlass Colin took him some goats, which he used for the milk only, and he had chickens for eggs. The livestock eventually dwindled to just a few due to leopards and snakes From 1962 to the time of his death (February 2nd 1989), Colin visited him monthly It was during the early 50's when mining activities were taking place on Chelo, he became a problem. He used to chase the mine employees and even tried to burn a bulldozer. At that time the Tact mine was owned by a Mr Bentley. Mr Bentley's son put an article on the internet in 2006/2007? Mr Bentley's son was a school boy and never met Dugald, therefore I don't think his report was completely correct. In 1978 Dugald developed a varicose ulcer, just above the left ankle and eventually this spread to both knees and feet. He refused treatment for this. In 1981 Dugald was bitten by a puff adder on the right hand, just above the thumb. Ian found him 2 days later. He drank a 500ml bottle of brandy neat, and passed out. Ian fetched Mrs Truscott, Epoch Mine Clinic nurse. After some persuasion he accepted Mrs Truscott and took treatment. Dugald accepted to move from Little Wonder to Ian's homestead. He recovered in 10 days. Dugald lived at Chelo farm Homestead from 1981 to 1989. On 17th January 1989 Dugald felt feverish and stayed in bed. He did not get any better so Ian sent for Colin. Ian and Colin took him to the Mater Dei Hospital in Bulawayo on the 20th of January 1989. He passed away on 2nd February 1989 COMMENT Dugald occupied himself doing a vegetable garden and ran the Chelo farm workshop. I have quite a number of diaries of Dugald's at my house at Chelo. Whilst Dugald always objected to everything in the first instance, he lived a normal life at Chelo Homestead. It would be wrong to judge Dugald until whoever they are got to know him during his lifetime. "Ian reDugald"
