Vivian John Debben

Vivian Debben was a twin, and his brother was killed serving with Bomber command age 19. Vivian was turned down for RAF as had lost the sight in one eye after an air rifle accident. He was recruited into the Patrol from the Home Guard in 1942. Being a youngster in the Home Guard he was given all the dirty jobs to do. He got fed up with this so stopped gong to parade. In 1942 he had a visit from Mr Vincent after which he announced he would stay in uniform but would not have to attend any more parades. After taking his later wife, Kath, home from an evening out he would cycle to Somerley for his Auxiliary Units duties.

Viv kept a 22 rifle with a telescopic sight, a Luger pistol and a Sten gun under his bed and would wear the Luger pistol in a shoulder holster when he was in uniform. He spent the week before D-Day on the Isle of Wight.

Vivian lived at home with his parents and older brother and sister. He rarely spoke about the war.

He worked as a vehicle fitter, repairing military vehicles, for Munn and Underwood in Southamptom where he caught the train to and from, every day 6am to 6pm.

Vivian Debben was involved in motorcycle racing after the war, possibly with one of the Hudspith family who was involved with Ringwood Motorcycle Club as well. Vivian’s son still runs a highly respected Performance Motorcycle company in the area. It is known that Arthur Hudspith emigrated to Australia some time after the war.