Parachute Regiment, 8th Battalion

[Frenchy]

Hi

I can't seem to find any information about the Parachute Regiment A.A.C., 8th Battalion in which my wife's uncle Ernest Edward Wootton served. I would be grateful if anyone could provide me with any.

Kind regards,
Les

[kyt]

This maybe a start:

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/unit_8thBatt.htm

Do you know what period he was in?

K

[Frenchy]

kyt, that's fantastic. Many thanks for the link. I'm quite certain he was one of the 8 that were killed when their aircraft crashed into a hill in the south of England.

I knew he died crash landing in 1943 in Wiltshire but didn't know any more details. So thanks again 

Kind regards,
Les

[kyt]

Hi Les

I hadn't realised he was an early casualty (should have checked the CWGC!). Anyway, yes, sadly, he was one of the casualties of the crash:

http://yourarchives.nationalarchives.gov.uk/index.php?title=Stoney_cross

Training accident (Parachute drop) when an Albemarle of 297 squadron flew into a hillside during bad weather.

The Station flying log book report AIR 27/1648 for the incident stated.

" The first aircraft of 297 squadron was to drop at 03:00 hours and the other aircraft at 2 minutes intervals. The weather conditions were far from ideal - there were a number of shower clouds about - but despite this, the exercise was carried out and quite sucessfully considering the conditions. The moon was obscured by cloud and the navigators had difficulty pin-pointing their position. Unfortunately, one aircraft pilot Flight Sgt Jubb crashed when making the run to the rendezvous (Ludgershall) at a position where there was low cloud. Of the six R.A.F. personnel, all were killed outright except one who was critically injured, and eight of the ten paratroopers carried were killed, the remaining two being badly injured. Upon returning to base, the 4th aircraft crash landed on the runway, with the result that the runway had to be changed and the last aircraft did not land until nearly 05:00 hours. Consequently 110 troops of the 8th Parachute battalion were dropped in the drop zone as well as 10 troops of the independent parachute company. Night flying time - 25.40 Hours." Special forces roll of honour lists the parachutists as Pte Capon, Cpl Firkins, Pte Hill, Pte Jones, Pte Jukes, Pte Rogers, Sgt Wilkes and Pte Wotton all of 8th Battalion parachute regiment

The Operations record book of R.A.F. Stoney Cross AIR 28/724 stated.

21.12 One of the Albemarle aircraft of 297 squadron crashed into a hillside while taking part in Exercise "Try Again" . Five members of the crew, Flight Sgt Jubb G.W. (captain), Flying Officer Jones L.V. (Navigator), Sgt Drakeford C.H., Sgt Hughes J.F. and Flight Sgt Russell C, on special duty were killed."

K

[kyt]

And the five RAF personnel killed were:

001 DRAKEFORD, CH 1381052
002 HUGHES, JF 1425581
003 JONES, LV 128428
004 JUBB, GW 1040913
005 RUSSELL, C 620538

I haven't found the sixth member yet

K

[Frenchy]

Many, many thanks for this wonderful information, kyt! The detail is brilliant.

Kind regards,

Les French

[AndyBaldEagle]

Les

Ernest Edward Wootton Cpl 7022932 AAC 8th Battalion Killed 21/12/43

Tidworth Cemetery Sec F (CofE) Collective Grave 6,12.18.24

There may be some more information in the Battalion War Diary at TNA
for 1943 which is WO/169/10350

Hope this helps

Andy

[aprilf]

This maybe a start:

http://www.pegasusarchive.org/normandy/unit_8thBatt.htm

Do you know what period he was in?

K

Hi

Looking for any info about my father-in-law. Unfortunately don't have much info about him as he died 1962 and his widow threw out all his stuff (army records etc.) but his son(my hubby) remembers he was in paras and coldstream guards prior to that. Is my best bet to contact army personnel centre in glasgow or is there any other way we could find out which battalion he was in?

Thanks so much if you can help.

April