STEALEY, JOHN HERALD
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment/Service:
Grave Reference:
Text on stone:
Rank:
Service No:
Date of Death:
Age:
Regiment/Service:
Grave Reference:
Text on stone:
Private
4463980
17/09/1944
24
Devonshire Regiment 2nd Bn.
II. A. 7.
Always thoughtful, always kind what beautiful memories you left behind
Additional Information:
Son of John and Esther H. Stealey, of Longsight, Manchester.
John Harold Stealey served with the 2nd Battalion Devons. On the 17th of September 1944 his unit was part of an operation called “Market Garden”. The Devons were clearing the flanks for the Irish Guards during their race to reach Arnhem. Next to the road from Lommel, Belgium, toward Valkenswaard, John Stealey was killed.
From the service records of John Harold Stealey, the following account can be reconstructed.
John Harold Stealey was born on 19 January 1920 in Charlton-on-Medlock, Manchester, Lancashire. Before the war he worked as a bread wrapper. He was not married.
He enlisted in the British Army on 27 June 1940 and joined the Durham Light Infantry.
His overseas service included a posting to Iceland from 21 September 1941 until 22 December 1941.
John embarked for service in North West Europe on 9 June 1944. On 26 August 1944 he was transferred to the Devonshire Regiment.
According to his service records, he was 5 feet 3 inches tall, with dark hair and blue eyes.
John Harold Stealey was killed in action on 17 September 1944.
On the 8th of April 2016, Kyle Stealey visited the grave of his grand uncle.
Original gravesite along the road from Belgium towards Valkenswaard.