Searching for Leslie J Vooght 6402898

Discussion in 'Searching for Someone & Military Genealogy' started by stone, Oct 6, 2010.

  1. stone

    stone Grounded

    2nd Parachute Battalion
    Army/bearer # 6402898 Rank PTE

    The Parachute Regimental Association Member 7238
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    Here he is, I imagine after first signing up, and on the right with a little more experience under the belt.
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    The top right photo is the one to look at -
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    Top photo -
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    While in Africa he mentioned having to deal with packs of wild dogs as well as the enemy. Call sign there was "Woah Mohamed"
    As with many, he never spoke about his times away too much. He served with Lt.Col John Frost at Arnhem and was in the last group to be captured.
    Using various sites Ive found the accounts of his battalion at Arnhem but little else. If anyone recognizes anything here, or knows of any information on his battalions activities, it would be greatly appreciated.

    Also, he was def in the 2nd battalion but the Movements above are of the 4th Battalion, not sure why this is.
     
  2. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    Hi Stone welcome, the ref to 4th Battalion is the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment he then transfered to 2 Para I got go do the school run but I suspect a mr Pariso or Baverstock.......... will be along shortly I wonder if there might be a connection for Dave here:unsure: although from the pic its a Mortar Platoon.
     
  3. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Hello Stone,

    As wtid45 has said, the group photo where the guy is ringed is indeed the 2 Para Mortar Platoon. The picture was taken in Barletta, Italy on 15th November 1943. I've attached a better copy of it here. There are a couple of pictures in your montage which show the fellas of C Coy, 2 Para, returning from the Bruneval Raid. If you 'Google' Bruneval Raid you'll get tons of info or you can search on this forum as there's quite a lot on here about it.

    I've looked through a few of the books I have on 2 Para, namely "B Coy Arrived", "Arnhem Spearhead" and "The History of the 2nd Battalion" but your man isn't mentioned.

    I'm sure that his face is familiar and as you've already got his name and service number it shouldn't be too hard to dig up some more on him. I'll keep looking and if anything crops up I'll let you know :).

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

    PS Whoa Mahomet! was the battle cry adopted by the 1st Parachute Brigade after their experiences in N. Africa :).
     

    Attached Files:

  4. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Hi Stone

    Welcome to the forum, you have posted some great stuff, love the Mortar Platoon photo, see attached your picture up against my grandfather MG Platoon pic, both taken at the same spot on the same day I reckon wouldnt you agree Paul.

    We can now date my photograph which is excellent thanks for posting stone, more research for the book complete excellent,job done.
     

    Attached Files:

  5. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    I will check my 2Para HQ Coy pic over the weekend to see if he shows up on there,because as Paul says, his face does look familiar
     
  6. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Definitely taken at the same place Dave, the building in the backround is the same. I thought you'd seen the Mortar pic before mate :unsure:.

    stone:

    Going by the dates in Vooght's diary (I assume it's a diary :unsure:) it would seem that he joined the Paras just before the Bruneval Raid. From the lists I have seen he was not part of that raid. Do you know why he had the pictures??
     
  7. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Paul, one for you

    Ive just noticed something interesting in his notebook, under October it say Algiers, just like it says on the back of Ralphs Maison Carree picture. However as you know, official account state that 2para didnt land in Algiers until the 12th November.
     
  8. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    I've checked the A Coy picture from 1944 and Vooght is not in that one. I've been sad enough to put all the known names onto a copy of the pic :rolleyes:.
     
  9. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Definitely taken at the same place Dave, the building in the backround is the same. I thought you'd seen the Mortar pic before mate :unsure:.

    stone:

    Going by the dates in Vooght's diary (I assume it's a diary :unsure:) it would seem that he joined the Paras just before the Bruneval Raid. From the lists I have seen he was not part of that raid. Do you know why he had the pictures??

    First time Ive seen it Paul,obviously got past my usual radar like nose:lol:
     
  10. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    I've checked the A Coy picture from 1944 and Vooght is not in that one. I've been sad enough to put all the known names onto a copy of the pic :rolleyes:.

    I think my HQ Coy might be worth a look,w ill check original at the weekend
     
  11. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Paul, one for you

    Ive just noticed something interesting in his notebook, under October it say Algiers, just like it says on the back of Ralphs Maison Carree picture. However as you know, official account state that 2para didnt land in Algiers until the 12th November.

    I think we've talked about this one before mate and come to the conclusion that maybe an advance party was sent in order to 'prepare the ground' as it were for the rest of the Battalion. Maybe Ralph and Leslie were part of this.......:unsure:

    All the best..............
     
  12. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    I think we've talked about this one before mate and come to the conclusion that maybe an advance party was sent in order to 'prepare the ground' as it were for the rest of the Battalion. Maybe Ralph and Leslie were part of this.......:unsure:

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

    I know you and me and spoken about, but those who know better:p totally dismissed my theory out of hand:lol:
     
  13. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Well from what I can see, the evidence is beginning to mount up!! :D
     
  14. wtid45

    wtid45 Very Senior Member

    First time Ive seen it Paul,obviously got past my usual radar like nose:lol:
    It was something in the pic that made me think of pics either you or Paul had.......... which was why I said there may be a conection for you;):D as for the advance part theory why not it seems to be making a lot of sense!
     
  15. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    It was something in the pic that made me think of pics either you or Paul had.......... which was why I said there may be a conection for you;):D as for the advance part theory why not it seems to be making a lot of sense!


    Well October crops up twice now,makes you wonder.
     
  16. stone

    stone Grounded

    This is great! Your time and interest is very much appreciated. Im thrilled with the information so far and will be looking up the Bruneval Raid before work. It goes without saying that any further help from you guys will stay with me for a long time. Thanks again! Kingarther: seeing the MG Platoon pic up against the Mortar Platoon really starts to paint a great picture.
     
  17. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    This is great! Your time and interest is very much appreciated. Im thrilled with the information so far and will be looking up the Bruneval Raid before work. It goes without saying that any further help from you guys will stay with me for a long time. Thanks again! Kingarther: seeing the MG Platoon pic up against the Mortar Platoon really starts to paint a great picture.


    When I get home at the weekend, I will if you man is in any of the other photographs I have.
     
  18. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Pete

    Is there any chance of any more information coming from your end to enable us to dig deeper.
     
  19. Paul Pariso

    Paul Pariso Very Senior Member

    Found this:
     

    Attached Files:

  20. kingarthur

    kingarthur Well-Known Member

    Found this:

    Well spotted that man
     

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