Stan
was born in Stretton, Staffordshire on 18th August 1925, the youngest of a
very large family of twelve. Six of them served in various branches of the
Armed Services. The Gough's could really be congratulated on having done
their bit for their country !
At age eighteen Stan
was called up for the Navy and underwent basic training. He was selected for
training to become a wireless operator/air gunner in the Fleet Air Arm and
was sent for an advanced course in Canada.
He
reverted to normal Seaman's duties and was sent back to UK where,
after various shore depots, he was posted to the destroyer Chesterfield,
then
on North Sea patrol. Stan next volunteered for transfer to the Army, and,
after training in Ireland with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, opted for
parachute training and was posted to 7th Para Battalion in February 1945.
He was immediately in
action with them in the Rhine crossing of March 1945, followed by the
advance through Germany, but was wounded and evacuated before the final
stages.
After convalescence
and refresher parachute courses, he took part in a series of experimental
jumps testing the goreless chute, before rejoining 7th battalion in
Palestine in their thankless occupation role.
Stan had packed a
very busy and adventurous life in
the short period of four years to his
discharge in 19
