Driver Benjamin Mesure

Ben was originally in the London Irish Rifles, date unknown. He then enlisted on the 6 October 1941 at the age of 17 into The Royal Ulster Rifles. Service records list him as being a 'pump attendant' before he enlisted. 

Ben was then transferred to The Royal Corps of Signals in April 1942.

At some stage between April 1942 and April 1943 he joined the 1st Airborne Divisional Signals. At this time he was a qualified Driver i/c (‘in charge’). The main element of the 1st Airborne Division sailed to North Africa, to join the 1st Parachute Brigade, in May 1943.

It is likely that he did his Parachute Training at the temporary Parachute School, set up in Tunisia by the 4th Parachute Brigade, in August 1943. He would have been awarded the Italy Star for taking part in Operation ‘Slapstick’, which took place in September 1943. Most units of the 1st Airborne Division then returned to the United Kingdom in December 1943.

In July 1944, Ben was in Lincolnshire training as part of the 1st Airborne Divisional Signals. He took part in Operation Market Garden. The date of 24 September 1944, that appears on his service records, is when the 2nd Seaborne Echelon (2nd Sea Tail) left from the bases in England, embarked at London, and sailed for France. They returned to port, just behind most of the survivors from Arnhem.

Ben then spent a short while at home before being posted to India in June 1945. During this overseas posting, we know Ben was in Tel Aviv in July 1945.

Ben's family believe that he was posted to October 1945 and then to Ceylon in November 1945. Before returning home for the last time in April 1946, we know Ben was in Malaya at some point. Service records indicate he was in 'India' between July 1946 and April 1946. 

Ben was discharged from the army in August 1950, his military history states his conduct as “Very Good”

Ben then served in the North Irish Brigade (TA) from August 1950 until August 1955. In January 1953, Ben was selected to represent the 1st Battalion London Irish Rifles on Her Majesty’s Coronation Parade on June the 2nd of that year.

Ben passed away in 1984, leaving behind a wife and five very proud children.