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Oxfordshire People

Oxfordshire People

The memories, stories and reminiscences of Oxfordshire people whether they have been servicemen, servicewomen, those who served to protect the County in war or were touched by conflict are recorded and kept by the Museum for current and future generations. Here is a selection of those stories.

© MOD Crown Copyright 2009 Photographer Cpl Rupert Frere.

Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe MBE

In the summer of 2009, Lieutenant Colonel Rupert Thorneloe MBE, from Kirtlington, commanding the Welsh Guards Battle Group was responsible for improving the security situation in Lashkar Gah and the surrounding areas in South Helmand - a difficult and challenging region that contained about half the population of Helmand province. On 1st July Colonel Thorneloe volunteered  to be in the lead vehicle of a supply convoy heading up to the canal and deliberately exposed himself to the same risks as his men. He died with Trooper Josh Hammond of The Royal Tank Regiment, the vehicle’s driver, in a huge explosion triggered by an IED, whilst doing his duty and setting an exemplary example of leadership in the best traditions of the British Army.

Oxfordshire's Second World War Veterans

Bill Buckingham

Bill Buckingham, born 1921 in Oxford, served with the 4th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. In this extract he describes when he was mobilised at the start of the war in 1939, and the reason why he was not sent to France with the rest of the Battalion in 1940.

Recorded at Oxford, December 2014.

John Lloyd

John Lloyd, born 1915 in Leigh-on-Sea, describes his experiences as 1st Lieutenant on HMT Paynter, a former Grimsby fishing trawler converted into an anti-submarine vessel, protecting merchant ships carrying supplies and ammunition to Russia on Convoy PQ13 in March 1942.

Recorded at  Southmoor, April 2015

Harold 'Sam' Langford

Harold 'Sam' Langford, born 1922 in Wantage, served as a Private with the 2nd Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Here he describes his experience of the glider landings of Operation Varsity - the Rhine Crossing - on 24th March 1945 during which the Regiment suffered many losses.

Recorded at Didcot, June 2015

Reginald Charles

Reginald Charles, born 1923 in Hornton near Banbury, was a Corporal with the 1st Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. He served in Normandy and later at the battle of the Reichswald Forest. In this extract he describes the difficult conditions he experienced in the Reichswald.

Recorded at Weston-Super-Mare, March 2017 

Derek Hawes

Derek Hawes, born 1918 in Sheffield, was captured at Hazebrouck in France in May 1940 while serving as a Bugler with the 1st Bucks Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. In this extract he describes the way the secret radio was hidden in the German POW Camp where he was held prisoner.

Recorded at Chalgrove, April 2013

George Andrews

George Andrews, born 1920 in Reading, was a Private with the 4th Battalion, Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Serving with the BEF in France, he experienced the battle at Cassel in May 1940, which he describes in this extract. Like the majority of the 4th Battalion, he did not make it to be the beaches of Dunkirk, and became a prisoner in Stalag XXI-A for 5 years.

Recorded at Sonning Common, October 2013

Please Note :- The opinions expressed in the audio clips may not align with Museum policy.



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