Joseph married Phyllis J M Chester in 1944. They honeymooned in Bournemouth.
After the war he initially worked near Warminster, before the family moved to Chisenbury in Wiltshire where he worked on the farm driving tractors. The family kept chickens in their large garden and he described his time here as idyllic. In October 1951 they moved to Buckland, living in a tied cottage, with Jim working on the farm, while his wife taught at the local school. She sadly died very suddenly in 1952 and Jim moved into the annexe of the farmhouse with his daughter, who was cared for in part by the the farmer's family. When the farmer retired they returned to Dorset. Jim had a 4 acre smallholding and earned money delivering bread for the local baker. This job allowed him to have working hours matching his daughter's school days, with other family also helping out. She recalled trips to Chesil beach to catch mackerel. He enjoyed watching Dad's Army on the TV when it was first broadcast in 1968. His daughter once asked him if he had ever killed anyone during the war, his answer being "I don't know"
Jim died in his sleep quite unexpectedly, after a day clearing snow. He is buried alongside his wife in Over Compton churchyard where they were married.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Dorset Scout Section | Scout Section Corporal | Unknown | 03 Dec 1944 |
| Operation Bulbasket | SAS combatant | 11 Jun 1944 | 07 Aug 1944 |
| Operation Bulbasket | SAS combatant | 11 Jun 1944 | 07 Aug 1944 |
| Operations Archway & Howard | SAS combatant | 16 Mar 1945 | 08 May 1945 |
| Operations Archway & Howard | SAS combatant | 16 Mar 1945 | 08 May 1945 |
Farm Worker
He joined the Dorset Regiment as a territorial before the war and the photo shows him at a camp at Corfe Castle in the summer of 1939.
24 Nov 1940 He was recruited to the Scout Section from the Depot of the Dorset Regiment. He attended a course at the "Home Guard Instructional School" (almost certainly Coleshill House) from 15 to 20 Dec 1940.
20 Apr 1943 With the contraction in the Scout Sections, he was transferred to the 4th Battalion, Dorset Regiment. From 11 to 23 May 1943 he attended 43 Division Battle School.
1 Feb 1944 He was recruited to B Squadron of 1 SAS Regiment.
After service on Operation Bulbasket he returned for in the campaign in north west Europe.
He was sent to Norway with the SAS as part of Operation Apostle, securing the liberation of that country after the German surrender. He brought home a German hat with the name Hauptmann Heydel as a souvenir for his nephew.
After the disbandment of the SAS in November 1945 he returned to the Dorset Regiment, then spent a few months with the Norfolk Regiment prior to his discharge from the Army on 20 Jun 1946.
His daughter gave away his army kitbag to reenactors. If you happen to have this, then we would love to include a photo on the website as a piece of equipment which was used while in service with Auxiliary Units
Daughter
Mike Dennis
Western Gazette 22 Dec 1944