Major Patrick A R Anson

Patrick Anchitel Richmond Anson, the only son of Capt Henry Percy Richmond Anson and of Lilian Mary Anson of Alderney, Channel Islands, was born in Middlesex in 1914. His father who served with the Middlesex Regiment was Killed in Action in Belgium on 25 May, 1915.

Educated at Royal Military College, Sandhurst, ‘Pat’ Anson followed in his father’s footsteps and was commissioned into the Middlesex Regiment in February 1934.

Captain Anson joined the Parachute Regiment in January 1942 and undertook parachute training course 8 at RAF Ringway from 10 to 24 February 1942 with the newly formed 4th Parachute Battalion.

He joined The 10th Parachute Battalion (10th Para Bn) in Kabrit January 1943, one of the first non 2nd Battalion The Royal Sussex Regiment officers to join the new battalion.

Major Anson was the Commanding Officer of A Company, 10th Para Bn on Operation Market Garden. His Dakota was shot down near Dodwaard on 18 September. He successfully jumped from the stricken aircraft and made his way to the Rhine and crossed to Arnhem during the night of 24/25 September. He was wounded on the crossing and was taken Prisoner of War.

Maj Anson died from his wounds, aged 30 years old, at Stalag XIB at Fallingbostel and was initially buried in the POW cemetery near the camp. He is now buried at Becklingen War Cemetery overlooking Luneberg Heath, Germany.