156th Battalion

156 Battalion was withdrawn from Italy in November 1944 as part of the 4^th Brigade and returned to the U.K. aboard the HM Troopship Staffordshire, arriving at Liverpool docks at 09:30Hrs on the morning of the 10^th December 1943.

Following their arrival at Liverpool, they boarded the train and headed for their new billets in the Uppingham area of Rutland where they arrived in the morning of the 11^th.

The Battalion was initially billeted in the Uppingham area, as follows:

Battalion (Bn) Headquarters (HQ) - Ayston Hall.

HQ Company (Coy). - Bisbrooke Hall.

'A' Coy. - The Knoll.

'B' Coy. - Loddington Hall.

'C' Coy Det. - Allexton Hall.

'C' Coy HQ. - Ashlands.

Mortar Platoon. - Launde Abbey.

After settling into their new billets, they went on disembarkation leave between the 18th – 21st December 1943. Those troops who had served abroad under 2 years were granted 14 days leave and for those who had served overseas for more than 2 years received 28 days.

Following their return from Christmas leave, the Commanding Officer, Lt Col Sir Richard des Voeux concentrated 156 Battalion together in Melton Mowbray.

The Battalion HQ & HQ Company were located at Staveley Lodge (now in the grounds of PERA) on Nottingham Road.

The Officers and Sergeants Messes of the Battalion were at Staveley Lodge and the other ranks of HQ Company (about 100 men strong) were billeted in Staveley Lodge stables.

All training and briefings were held in the billiard room on the South side of Staveley Lodge facing the fire station. The Company jail and the Company Armoury were also housed in the stables.

'A' Company at Scalford Hall

After a few weeks at Scalford Hall, there had been a dispute with the owner, Colonel Colman of Colman Mustards fame, and 'A' Company were withdrawn from Scalford and moved into The Spinney to join Support Company.

'B' & 'C' Companies at Newport Lodge

Support Company at The Spinney on Thorpe Road

156 Battalion were not the first paratroopers to be billeted in the Melton area. No 16 Parachute Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps arrived back in the U.K. from North Africa, docking at Liverpool on the 9^th December 1943, taking up residence in their billets at Scalford Hall and The Spinney.

However, on the 4^th January 1944, No 16PFA moved into Culverthorpe Hall, between Grantham and Sleaford in Lincolnshire.