No.EC/2795, Major, John Plampin OAKES MiD
Aged 22
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John Plampin OAKES was born in Njoro, Kenya on 9th September 1921), son of George Clifton and Elizabeth May OAKES (née SCUDAMORE)
Aged 1 he arrived at London from Cape Twon on the SS "Llanstephan Castle" on 12th May 1923, with his father George Clifton OAKES [33] farmer/engineer; his mother Elizabeth May [22] and brother Orbell Ray [2], intended address, Nowton Court, Bury St.Edmunds. In the 1939 register he was a student at Imperial Services College, New Windsor, Berks. His father had died in Kenya in 1930 His uncle Orbell OAKES was killed in France in 1915 see here |
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He was with the 3rd Royal Sikhs in Cyprus 1941-42. They then moved to North Africa, where on 15th June most of the battalion were captured,
leaving just 4 officers (John included) at the Bagush Box on 21st. 70 men under Capt Finnis and Lt Oakes were formed into a rifle company
and withdrew to El Alamein. The 3rd Royal Sikhs were re constituted at Port Sudan. They then spent months in training ready for the invasion of Sicily on 10th July 1943. By August 1944 John had been promoted to Acting Major. On 7th August the Gurkhas made an assault along the Arno river while 3rd Royal Battalion were meanwhile to put in a diversionary attack on Roccolo and Pianle, across the River Arno and overlooking it. In brilliant moonlight a two-company attack on Roccolo was halted within fifty yards of its objective by mortar and Spandau fire; and though a fresh attack was made in daylight on the 8th it was unsuccessful. A further fifty casualties, including a Company Commander killed (Major J. P. Oakes), were suffered by the Battalion in this expensive affair. He was mentioned in despatches.
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