Lieutenant Peter Dolleymore

Peter Dollymore was granted an emergency commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in The Oxford and Buckinghamshire (Ox and Bucks) Light Infantry in December 1942.

Lieutenant Dolleymore volunteered for airborne forces in late 1943. He attended parachute training course 97 at RAF Ringway which ran from 3 January to 15 January 1944.

The course was attended by 265 trainees who completed nearly 2000 descents. During the course the men were informed that their last jump was to be made with a kit bag strapped to their legs from the balloon. As this was an innovation some apprehension was expressed and it was feared that a considerable number of refusals might occur. However, after being told the reason for it by the Commanding Officer, and watching 40 demonstration jumps by PTS instructors, confidence was restored. It is noteworthy that for the kitbag jump there was neither a refusal or injury.

The course instructors noted Lt Dolleymore; ‘Worked Hard, nervous at first, but finished well.’

He was posted to A Company, 8th (Midlands) Parachute Battalion and took part in the D-Day landings in Normandy, during Op Overlord, The Ardennes Campaign and The Rhine Crossing.

Lt Dolley more was Killed in Action on 31 March 1945 and is now buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Headstone image by Bob Hilton