Corps of Military Police

Soldier Details:

Surname: Stead

Initials: J.

Rank: Lance Corporal

Army No.: 14411842

Notes: CMP. Guards Armoured Div Pro Coy. He was born and resided in Leeds and formerly served in the General Service Corps. Unit War Diary WO 171/390. 21/7/44 14411842 U/L/Cpl Stead J killed by enemy shell while on traffic duty. 22/7/44 The above L/Cpl Stead J buried at Churchyard Ranville. Citation for the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star to L/Cpl Parry CMP: At approximately 18.00 hrs the Military policeman, who was on point duty where tanks were crossing the main road EAST of RANVILLE, was killed on his point. (L/Cpl Stead) L/Cpl PARRY was detailed to take over this point. In spite of intense enemy shelling L/Cpl PARRY proceeded to control the traffic as though the situation was perfectly normal. There is no doubt that the steadfastness and imperturbability of this L/Cpl was an source of inspiration to the drivers of all passing vehicles and his courage enabled a considerable congestion of vehicles at this point to be avoided. Casualty List 1520, North West Europe, Killed in Action, 21/7/1944. No inscription on gravestone. John Stead.

Decorations/Medals/Awards (1)

1. Decoration: Belgian Croix de Guerre

Gazette Date: None

Gazette Issue:

Gazette Page:

Citation: Found in Guards Armoured Division Pro Coy War Diary WO 171/390 Citation for the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star to L/Cpl Parry CMP: At approximately 18.00 hrs the Military policeman, who was on point duty where tanks were crossing the main road EAST of RANVILLE, was killed on his point. (L/Cpl Stead) L/Cpl PARRY was detailed to take over this point. In spite of intense enemy shelling L/Cpl PARRY proceeded to control the traffic as though the situation was perfectly normal. There is no doubt that the steadfastness and imperturbability of this L/Cpl was an source of inspiration to the drivers of all passing vehicles and his courage enabled a considerable congestion of vehicles at this point to be avoided. Not found in London Gazette or National Archive.

Casualty Details:

Date Killed:	21st July 1944
Company:	GUARDS ARMD DIV PRO
Cemetery:	RANVILLE WAR CEMETERY FRANCE
CWGC Search:

Corps of Military Police

Soldier Details:

Decorations/Medals/Awards (1)

Casualty Details:

Grave Photograph

Map

Surname:	Stead
Initials:	J.
Rank:	Lance Corporal
Army No.:	14411842
Notes:	CMP. Guards Armoured Div Pro Coy. He was born and resided in Leeds and formerly served in the General Service Corps. Unit War Diary WO 171/390. 21/7/44 14411842 U/L/Cpl Stead J killed by enemy shell while on traffic duty. 22/7/44 The above L/Cpl Stead J buried at Churchyard Ranville. Citation for the Belgian Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star to L/Cpl Parry CMP: At approximately 18.00 hrs the Military policeman, who was on point duty where tanks were crossing the main road EAST of RANVILLE, was killed on his point. (L/Cpl Stead) L/Cpl PARRY was detailed to take over this point. In spite of intense enemy shelling L/Cpl PARRY proceeded to control the traffic as though the situation was perfectly normal. There is no doubt that the steadfastness and imperturbability of this L/Cpl was an source of inspiration to the drivers of all passing vehicles and his courage enabled a considerable congestion of vehicles at this point to be avoided. Casualty List 1520, North West Europe, Killed in Action, 21/7/1944. No inscription on gravestone. John Stead.