The Dungeon Party

In the autumn of 1941 a decision was made to form the fledgling 1st Airborne Division command in accommodation situated 2 floors below ground level in a building in King Charles Street, Whitehall.  In later years, on account of the location, Gen FAM Browning always referred to the original division staff as "The Dungeon Party".

It subsequently moved to Ashley Gardens in London, and then to Syrencote House, 1 mile south of Fighledean, near Netherhaven, Wilts, on 22 Dec 1941. The Division was then billeted in the Bulford area.  A group photo of the founding members taken at Syrencote House 1942.  The group consisted of:

Major Gen FAM Browning - GOC - Later GOPC 1st Airborne Corps

Lt Col AG Walsh - GSO I - Later BGS 1st Airborne Corps

Major Sir Richard de B des Voeux -GSO II - Later CO 156 Para Bn (KiA Arnhem 1944)

Capt BE Urquhart - GSO III (I) - Later GSO II (I) 1st Airborne Corps

Lt Col JA Goschen - AA and QMG

Major WT Williams - DAAG - Later DA QMG Parachute Bde

Major JBM Cowan - DA QMG - Later AQMG 1st Airborne Corps

Lt Col MCA Henniker - SO RE - Later CRE 1st Airborne Division

Maj D Smallman-Tew - SO R Sigs - Later CO 6th Airborne Signals (KiA Normandy 1944)

Cal AA Eager - ADMS - Later DDMS 1st Airborne Corps

Major RTL Shorrock - DADME - Later DDME 1st Airborne Corps

Gp Capt Sir Nigel Norman - SO RAF - later KiA while flying out to North Africa

Not included in the photo was Lt Col Godfrey Loring - ADOS - Later DDOS 1st Airborne Corps.

On return from Italy the Divisional HQ was established in Fulbeck Hall, Lincs with a tactical HQ on the Golf Course at Moor Park, hearts, from where they went to Arnhem.

When the 1st Airborne Division vacated Syrencote House it was taken over by the 6th Airborne Division who also had a planning HQ at Brig Marston House, The Old Farm from Mid April onwards.