Lieutenant Richard B Stevens

Richard Bridges Stevens was born in Croydon and educated at Repton School where he appeared as an extra in the film ’Goodbye Mr Chips’, starring Robert Donat, released in 1939.

His law studies at Exeter College, Oxford, were interrupted by the war when he volunteered for military service. He was granted an emergency commission with The Essex Regiment on 28 December 1940 after completing training at 164 Officer Cadet Training Unit, Colchester.

Stevens volunteered for aircrew and was formally transferred to the Glider Pilot Regiment in September 1942.

He flew a WACO glider with an American co-pilot on the Sicily landings in July 1943. Unfortunately, the glider was cast off early and it landed in the sea.

Stevens also flew the Normandy mission in June 1944. He took off from RAF Broadwell in a Horsa glider, along with his co-pilot Sgt C Hole, and personnel from 1 Royal Ulster Rifles and transport. They landed successfully at Landing Zone N near Ranville.

In September 1944, Stevens took part in Operation Market Garden as a section commander in C Squadron, No 2 Wing, and flew a Horsa onto one of the landing zones near Arnhem.

He was captured after being wounded in the leg by shrapnel and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner, mostly at Oflag 79.

Prior to demobilisation he took part in the film ‘Theirs is the Glory’ (1946), which was the first significant effort to chronicle the actions of the British 1st Airborne Division at Arnhem.

After the war Stevens qualified as a chartered accountant and worked in the oil industry until retirement.

Profile photograph copyright ITV Studios Global Entertainment.