John Stevenson (British Army officer)

Major John Stevenson MBE DCM (February 24, 1918–February 25, 2002) was a Company Sergeant Major in the British 6th Airborne Division who was awarded the DCM for personal gallantry and leadership during Operation Varsity; the Air Assault landing over the Rhine on 24 March, 1945. He was later commissioned in the post war British Army.

Early life

John (Joseph) Stevenson was born in Kings Moss, near Carnmoney, County Antrim. His father served with the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, a cavalry regiment. He enlisted in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (Ox and Bucks) at Belfast in November 1935. He was posted to the 2nd Ox and Bucks (the 52nd) and served in India from December 1937 to June 1940. He volunteered for Special Forces and joined 6 Commando as a sergeant instructor in February 1941. He later became CSM at the Commando Training Centre at Achnacarry. He joined the 2nd Buckinghamshire Battalion (2nd Bucks) of the Ox and Bucks in July 1942.

Normandy

In May 1944 Stevenson was posted, as a CSM, to the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (1st Bucks) of the Ox and Bucks. On D Day, 6 June 1944, he landed with 1st Bucks near Ouistreham. In July 1944 he rejoined 2nd Ox and Bucks at Chateau St Come, south of Breville, as CSM of Major John Howard's D Company. He served in the Ardennes and Holland from December 1944 to February 1945.

Operation Varsity

The 2nd Ox and Bucks was a Gliderborne Battalion part of 6 Airlanding Brigade, 6 Airborne Division. 2nd Ox and Bucks main objective was to secure bridges over the River Issel. On 24 March 1945 Stevenson was placed in command of a platoon on the east bank of the River Issel. An extract from his citation for the DCM reads: " His courage and cheerfulness inspired all and his leadership ensured that a most important position was held, under great difficulties, at a critical time." 2nd Ox and Bucks took part in the advance across Germany to the Baltic sea. He was the CSM of a Guard of Honour from 2nd Ox and Bucks for the meeting between Field Marshal Montgomery and his Russian counterpart Marshal Rokossovsky at Wismar on 7 May 1945.

Post War

He served in Palestine as Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of 2nd Ox and Bucks from October 1945. He joined the 7th Battalion The Parachute Regiment as RSM in 1947 and became RSM the 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in 1948. He was RSM of the 3rd Battalion at the Presentation of Colours to the Parachute Regiment by King George V1 at Aldershot on 19 July 1950. He rejoined the Ox and Bucks as RSM in 1951 and served in Cyprus, Suez Canal Zone and BAOR. He was the senior warrant officer of the Ox and Bucks Guard of Honour at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11 on 2 June 1953. Stevenson was commissioned in November 1955 and awarded the MBE in 1956. He then served with 12th Infantry Brigade and HQ Squadron 7th Armoured Brigade Group. He was promoted to Captain in 1961. In April 1962 he rejoined his regiment from 7 November 1958 renamed the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) and served in Penang, Sarawak, Brunei, N. Borneo and Berlin. He was promoted to Major in March 1965. On 1 January 1966 the 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) became the 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets. He retired from the Army in October 1967. He later worked as a retired officer for the Ministry of Defence at Stanmore and at the Rifle Depot at Winchester.

References

• For Distinguished Conduct in the Field:the register of the Distinguished Conduct Medal 1920-1992 compiled by Philip McDermott (1994),
• The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry(The 43rd/52nd Regiment of Foot), Philip Booth (1971),
• Gliderborne: The story of the 2nd Battalion, The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry.(The 52nd)in World War 11 (2007),
• The Savage Wars of Peace Charles Allen(1990).