The son of Henry and Esther he was born in Bruton, Somerset. He married Phyllis Chainey in 1929.
| Unit or location | Role | Posted from | until |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Somerset Scout Section | Scout Section Member | Unknown | Unknown |
| Northumberland Scout Section | Scout Section Member | 01 Jun 1941 | 1943 |
| Operation Haft | SAS combatant | Unknown | Unknown |
Babcary School, Somerset
Painter & decorator (1939)
21 Jul 1922 He enlisted in the Queens West Surrey Regiment.
4 Apr 1927 He transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry. He became a PT (Physical Training) Instructor spending time in China.
Unknown date - left the Army.
23 Dec 1940 Attested with Somerset Light Infantry.
16 Jan 1941 Joined Somerset Light Infantry at Taunton Barracks after delayed embodiment (over Christmas).
6 Feb 1941 Appointed Acting Unpaid Lance Corporal at Infantry Training Centre.
22 Jul 1941 Joined Auxiliary Units, South Somerset Scout Section, relinquishing rank of unpaid Lance Corporal.
11 Jul 1942 Transferred to Northumberland Scout Section (c/o PO Belford).
20 Jul 1942 to 18 Aug 1942 Admitted to Military Hospital Fenham Barracks.
23 April 1943 Struck off Strength Auxiliary Units, joining 4th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry.
1 Jan 1944 Moves to X list.
1 Feb 1944 Joined B Squadron 1 SAS Regiment.
8 May 1944 Pay stopped 14/6 by his Commanding Officer for losing his paratroopers helmet.
8 Jul 1944 Operation Haft. Parachuted into France.
May 1945 Sent to Norway with the SAS as part of Operation Doomsday, the unopposed liberation with the Norwegian Resistance of Norway following the German surrender in Europe.
He was signed off by Paddy Mayne 1945, with the comment "Exemplary service".
Mike Bassett (including Service Record)
Grandson, Steve Furneaux
1939 Register
Enlistment book Queens Royal Surrey regiment (Ancestry.co.uk)