James Moir | ParaData

Sgt Jock Moir served with two Airborne Provost Companies in the Corps of Military Police during World War II.

He qualified as a military parachutist at RAF Ringway on course 31 which ran from 15 to 21 October 1942 and served with 1st Airborne Division Provost Company.

By the time of Arnhem, Jock Moir was serving as a Corporal and 2i/c of No 3 Section attached to the 1st Airlanding Brigade. He managed to safely withdraw, with a captured German prisoner, across the Rhine to Allied lines on the night of 25 September 1944 along with the remnants of the 1st Airborne Division.

Shortly after returning to Stubston he was promoted to Sergeant.

He briefly took part in Operation Doomsday, Norway. Following the birth of his son, Jock returned to the UK shortly after his section had deployed to Stavanger to work with civil police.

When the Company was disbanded Jock transferred to 6th Airborne Division Provost Company until his demobilisation.

Profile photo courtesy of James Moir (son).

By ParaData Editor (HG)

Date not known
1st (Airborne) Divisional Provost Company CMP, 6th (Airborne) Divisional Provost Company CMP (Sergeant)

Operations

Event

Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)

1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, was tasked to secure the main canal and river crossings between Eindhoven and Arnhem.

Event

Italy

The Italians had capitulated while the force was still at sea. The sinking of HMS Abdiel by a mine in the harbour, however, resulted in the loss of 130 soldiers from 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion including their Commanding Officer.

Event

North Africa (Operation Torch)

On 12 November the 3rd Parachute Battalion (3 Para Bn) jumped onto and seized the vital airfield at Bone between Algiers and Tunis, arriving barely before German paratroopers deployed for the same mission.

Event

Norway (Operation Doomsday)

Maj Gen Urquhart received his orders in the midst of a Division reorganization.

Event

Sicily (Operation Husky)

Speed was essential to prevent the consolidation of Italian and German defences facing a rapid pincer movement launched from the west and south east immediately after the amphibious landings. Key bridges and ports were to be captured by airborne assault.

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Sgt James 'Jock' Moir, Stavanger 1945.

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1st (Airborne) Divisional Provost Company at Stubton Hall Nr Newark, May 1944

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Sergeant James Moir

{ Jock }

20 Mar 2005

Service History