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 went on to have a distinguished career in the post war British Army.

Early life

John (Joseph) Stevenson was born in Kings Moss, near Carnmoney, County Antrim. His father had 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. Stevenson 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. In July 1942 he was posted to the 2nd Buckinghamshire Battalion (2nd Bucks) of the Ox and Bucks.

Normandy

On the eve of D Day Stevenson was posted, as a CSM, to the 1st Buckinghamshire Battalion (1st Bucks) of the Ox and Bucks landing on D Day, 6th June 1944, 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 later served with the Battalion in the Ardennes and Holland.

Operation Varsity

The 2nd Ox and Bucks was a Gliderborne Battalion part of 6 Airlanding Brigade, 6 Airborne Division. The Battalion's main objective was to secure Bridges over the River Issel. On 24th 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." The Battalion 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 7th May 1945.

Post War

In October 1945 Stevenson went to Palestine with 2nd Ox and Bucks as Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM). He joined the 7th Battalion The Parachute Regiment as RSM in 1947 and then 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 19th July 1950. He rejoined the Ox and Bucks as RSM in 1951 serving in Cyprus, Suez Canal Zone and BAOR. John 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 now renamed 1st Green Jackets (43rd and 52nd) and served with the Battalion in Penang, Sarawak, Brunei, N. Borneo and Berlin. He was promoted to Major in March 1965. On 1st January 1966 the Battalion was retitled the 1st Battalion The Royal Green Jackets. John Stevenson 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).