Alcock, John "Jack"

Date of birth:: March 4th, 1918 (Goole/Yorkshire, Verenigd Koninkrijk)
Date of death:: January 1st, 1997
Service number:: 2657449/455726
Nationality:: British

Biography

John Alcock joined the Army in 1936, serving in the Coldstream Guards during the Second World War. He was part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) sent to France early in the War and in 1940, he formed part of the rearguard action assisting the retreat from the beaches at Dunkirk. He joined the SAS in 1943 and landed at Taranto with SAS 22 team and in 1944 took part in Operation Pistol in Alsace Lorraine.

He continued to serve 1950s and 1960s when joining the Parachute Regiment. As the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM) of The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA), RSM Alcock took part in the drop at Suez Aerodrome on Operation Musketeer. He was eventually awarded a commission as a Lieutenant Quartermaster in 1958, and was appointed Captain in 1961.

He continued his service as MOT Officer with the 22 SAS until 1966.

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Mentioned in Dispatches

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant
Unit:: A Squadron, 2nd SAS Regiment, Special Air Service (SAS), Combined Operations Headquarters, War Office, British Government
Awarded on:: May 10th, 1945

Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Squadron Quarter Master Sergeant
Unit:: A Squadron, 2nd SAS Regiment, Special Air Service (SAS), British Army
Awarded on:: April 18th, 1945
Awarded for:: Operation Pistol

For merit during Operation Pistol.
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John Alcock blew up a small German troop train on the 19th of September 1944 when serving with 2 SAS. Two German officers were killed in the explosion. He also shot four or five German soldiers who were attempying to capture him at Koecking in Alsace Lorraine.

With silver star