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Captain Stanley Levitt
Stanley Levitt joined the 5th Battalion The Durham Light Infantry in about 1938, as a territorial, or part-time, soldier. He was promoted from Battery Sergeant Major to Lieutenant (Quartermaster) in March 1945. He became a Captain in 1946.
On the outbreak of the Second World War, he was called up to full time service and served with what became the 113th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, The Royal Artillery.
This photograph (above, right), 'Mobilised for War'
, was taken at Skelton, North Yorkshire, on 24 August 1939.
The Regiment was in the UK, defending the country against air attack, until 1944.
Stanley Levitt's commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel W.H. Mather, wrote a testimonial for him after the war, in which he mentioned that Levitt had refused the chance to become an officer three times in case he missed being posted overseas [D/DLI 7/404/14].
'Above Sword Beach'on 17 June 1944.
Visit BBC History: D Day Landings to see a map of the Normandy landings. Please note this link will take you off the Record Office website. To return to this page, please use your Browser back button.
As the Regiment pushed through France and Belgium, towards Nijmegen in Holland, Stanley Levitt showed himself to be an 'outstanding leader'
. His commanding officer, Colonel Mather, described how 'BSM [Battery Sergeant Major] Levitt made it his special duty to visit gun positions, doing much by his cheerfulness towards maintaining a high standard of morale.'
Levitt was an expert in mines; his knowledge in clearing minefields saved many lives.
He was recommended for a medal for his bravery in this action, but was awarded a Mention in Despatches.
See a full transcript of the Certificate that Warrant Officer Levitt has been Mentioned in Despatches.