George Henry Bickle

Private George Henry “Chocolate” Bickle
29 May 1919 - 07 Jun 1944
Biography

“Chocolate” Bickle (as in Chocolate Biscuit/Bickie) was from Lewdown, Devon and had been a Territorial before the war.

He served in the Devon Scout Section.

In July 1943 he transferred to the 12th Devonshire (Airborne), mostly likely as the Scout Section was reduced in size. He was killed during the fighting around Ranville, near Pegasus Bridge, on the day after D Day, aged 26 years. His battalion had largely arrived by sea, due to a lack of aircraft to deliver this glider borne unit by air. He was killed in a mortar attack during their first night in France.

He is buried at Ranville Churchyard, France.

Born to his widowed mother Mary Jane Bickle, he had four step-brothers and had lived for a while with his step-sister at Sourton, near Oakehampton, Devon, where he was well known.

Postings
Unit or location Role Posted from until
Devon Scout Section Scout Section Member Unknown 01 Jul 1943
Regiment
The Devonshire Regiment
Military number
5621503
Address
Holster Yard, Lewdown, Near Oakhampton, Devon
References

Paradata

Commonwealth War Grave Commission

The Western Times, July 28th 1944