Sergeant Thomas A Joyce, son of Patrick and Mary Joyce, of Liverpool, served with  was part of E Sqn, 11 Flt, 1st Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment. He was due to take part in the Battle of Arnhem, during Op Market Garden.On 17 September he was the first pilot of Horsa HS101 (Chalk No 240). When he cast off the tow in cloud, the subsequent forced landing held the glider to strike HT(power) cables and crash at Bessels Leigh, near, Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Sgt Joyce was killed in the crash whilst the second pilot Sgt Hoyle was seriously injured, but survived.

Sergeant Joyce died on 17 September 1944, aged 25 years old - one of the earliest casualties of the airdrop to Arnhem. He is now buried at West Derby Cemetery, Liverpool.

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