Lance Corporal James A Palfrey

James A Palfrey volunteered for the airborne forces after serving with The Devonshire Regiment. He was born in Totnes, Devon.

He was at first posted to 151 Bn in India and was parachute jump trained on Course CH30. On return to England in 1943 he joined 9th Para Bn in preparation for D.Day. He was parachute jump trained again on Course 158 at RAF Ringway. His instructor noted this about his performance:

"Good, keen performer, quiet and confident"

On 6 June whilst with an anti tank pln he was listed as wounded and missing in action. 

Evader Report Palfrey - M19/S/PG/2169 

D Day

6 June - 6 July 1944 : Trouville (sheltered at farm)

6 July - 16 July 1944 : Blonville

16 July - 21 August 1944 : St Pierre, AZIF

"I came down near Trouville (France 1:250,000, Sheet 8, L 4513). I made no French contacts till the second day. I was chased by Gestapo and rescued by a French farmer who had hid me in a ditch and then a loft. I stayed in this farm until about 6 July, when a member of the resistance movement fetched me and took me to Blonville (L 4208), where I met Pte Matthews of 9 Para Bn. We stayed in Blonville till about 16 July, when we were moved to St Pierre Azif (L 4205) where we stayed till 21 august. On 7 August we met Bdr Luggar and Tel. T/O Peters." 

Palfrey and Matthews were able to link up with the advancing Allied forces.