Gerahty, Colonel Peter Echlin (207799)

DoB: 1 Sep 1921 in Cyprus; elder son of Sir Charles Gerahty QC

Died: Friday 15 Nov 2013 in Somerset aged 92

Educated: Malvern College

227 days in the ranks

2Lt (Emergency Commn) 29/9/41 Oxf. Bucks

Lt 1/3/44 (28/4/45)

Capt 1/9/48

Maj 1/9/55

Lt Col 1/4/63

Col 30/6/69 (LG 6782, 1 Jul 1969)

Gerahty joined the 52^nd in Sept 1944 in Bulford after Pegasus Bridge and subsequently took part in the air landings and dash to and defence of the River Meuse in Belgium. Returning to England in Feb 45 the 52^nd prepared and took part in  Op Varsity the Rhine crossing. After VE Day the 52^nd were on standby for India to fight the Japanese. Gerahty was in charge of the advance party and departed for India. On arrival the Japanese had surrendered so he returned to find the 52^nd had been diverted to Palestine where he then commanded a Coy.

He was a keen sportsman and featured frequently at regimental level in Cricket, Hockey, Soccer, X Country Running & Rugby.

Service:

5 Oxf. Bucks (into abeyance 7/44)                  Sep 41-Jun 44 Pl Comd & Coy 2ic

9 Para                                                             Jul 44-Sep 44 Pl Comd

2 Oxf. Bucks                                                   Sep 44 Nov 47 Recce Pl Comd, Coy 2ic, Adjt (CO- Lt Col CH Styles)

GSO 3 War Office (MO2)                              Nov 47 Nov 49

Staff College Camberley                                  Jan 50 Dec 50

BM HQ 130 Inf Bde                                       Mar 51 Apr 53

4   Oxf. Bucks (TA)                                        Apr 53 Oct 55 Adjutant (CO- Lt Col JHL Smith MBE, TD

GSO 2 War Office (MO5)                              Nov 55 Dec 57

Student JSSC                                                  Jan 58 Jul 58

1  Oxf. Bucks/1 Green Jackets                         Jul 58 Jul 60 Coy Comd, Bn 2ic (CO -Lt Col RA St G Martin)

GSO 2 (Ops & Trg) HQ East Africa Command        Aug 60 Sep 62

Recruiting Officer The Green Jackets Brigade            Nov 62 Mar 63

CO Oxf. Bucks (TA)                                       Apr 63 Sep 65

GSO 1 (DS) JSSC                                          Nov 65 Feb 69

Rifle Depot HS                                                 Feb 69 Apr 69

Col GS CD 1(A) MOD                                   Apr 69 Dec 72

AD (Col) Inf Policy MOD                                Jan 73 Sep 76

Retired Sep 1976

Honours and awards:

MBE 1962 (LG 4313, Sup 2 Jun 1962)

CBE 1977  (LG 47102, 30 Dec 1976; [1977 New Years Hons])

Married: Arminell Morshead, 9 Aug 1952 in Lamerton, Devon.,

Children: 1 S (pre-deceased his father), 1 D                                       

Letters of condolence if desired to:

Mrs PE Gerahty (Arminell)

The Beeches

Church Street

Langport

Somerset TA10 0JY

Funeral Arrangements:

Private family funeral

Thanksgiving Service:  Fri 29 Nov at 2.30 pm

Drayton Parish Church, Church Street, Drayton, Somerset, TA100JT