David Thomas Parsons: Cpl 22941055 - Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry
David Thomas Parsons (my Father) joined the Oxford and Bucks light infantry in Witney on 19 Nov 1953 and spent two years doing his National Service. He was trained and went on to join the 1st Battalion (amalgamated 43rd and 52nd in 1948) Signal platoon under Lieut.-Colonel J.H.L. Smith, M.B.E., T.D.
Training was given at Cowley Barracks and the platoon then went on to spend the majority of its two years in Osnabruck in Germany.
The signal platoon is mentioned in The Ox and Bucks Lt Infantry journal in May 1955:
'The line parties under Lance-Corporal Parsons laid the best part of 30 miles of cable in the first three days of the exercise, which was a very good effort, and from then on were kept hard at work repairing damage caused by tanks and like all linesmen had to do without sleep and with cold meals...'
He left full army service on 11/12/55 and went into 4th Bn. Oxf. & Bucks lt infantry TA, his final employment in the 1st Battalion being a Regimental Signaller.
Please click on the pictures for larger views
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Fulwell farm: David and Johnny (one of the working farm horses) in the 1940's |
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Belsen concentration camp: 1953 visit. |
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Belsen concentration camp: 1953 (the delousing hut) |
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Belsen concentration camp: 1953 visit. |
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Belsen concentration camp: 1953 visit. |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Osnabruck 1953-55 |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Osnabruck 1953-55 |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Osnabruck 1953-55 |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, the Signal badre plus Pln Commander Lt Thistlethwaite. |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Osnabruck 1953-55 |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Osnabruck 1953-55 |
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David Thomas Parsons (back row, 3rd from end): Ox and Bucks LI at Osnabruck |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Osnabruck 1953-55 (with Mick from Henley on left) |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Cowley barracks in Oxford 1955 - Celebration of the 200th anniversary of the raising of the 52nd LI |
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David Thomas Parsons: Ox and Bucks LI, Osnabruck 1953-55 |
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Firing range score card (taken from skill at arms record book): 1953 |
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Third Class Army Certificate of education: 1954 |
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Discharge from full into part time service: 1955 |
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Discharge from full into part time service: 1955 |
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Discharge from full into part time service: 1955 |
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Discharge from full into part time service, document for then employer, Mr. Hughes: 1955 |