John St George Gunston
Memorial: Wickwar - Holy Trinity Church
Regiment: Irish Guards
Medals: 1939–45 Star, War Medal 1939–1945
Rank and number: Captain
Parents: Sir Derrick Wellesley and Lady Evelyn Bligh Gunston
Home address: Petty France, Badminton
Date of birth: 17/02/1919
Date of death: 07/03/1944
Buried/Commemorated at: No known grave but dommemorated on Casino Memorial Lazio Italy and commemorative plaque and Memorial Window Holy Trinity Wickwar
Age: 25
Further information:
Irish Guards and Special Air Service Regiment AAC.
John was taking part in operation Maple and left San Georgio South of Ancona by boat along with seven other paratroopers heading for allied territory. The weather was very rough and that was the last time he was seen alive. A German intelligence report discovered after the war stated that John and some of his party were captured after being washed up on shore and were interrogated then executed.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
This information has been provided by Sarah Hands, Volunteer Researcher for the South Gloucestershire War Memorials Web Site.
By kind permission, this information is based on the following source(s):
https://www.cwgc.org/
https://wickwar.org/history/a-brief-history-of-wickwar
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/mp/17621/derrick_gunston/thornbury
http://www.specialforcesroh.com/archive/index.php/t-2693.html
Western Daily Press 10th November 1945
https://www.midlothianadvertiser.co.uk/lifestyle/mystery-surrounds-death-of-sas-man-on-daring-raid-1-4336606