Airborne Assault MuseumArticle
Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)
1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, was tasked to secure the main canal...
Corporal Alfred Henry Howes, commonly known as a 'Joe', served with the 3rd Parachute Battalion. He volunteered for service with the airborne forces from The Queen's Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Joe successfully passed parachute jump instruction at RAF ringway on course 34. This course ran between 12 and 27 October 1942.
He took part in the Battle of Arnhem, during Op. Market Garden as a Section Second-in-Command (2-i-c) of 4 Section in 8 Platoon, C Company and was eventually captured as a Prisoner of War. Joe was repatriated 27 April 1945.
Joe joined The Reserves 18 June 1946.
Service History
- 1939 5th (Hackney) Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment (TA) (Private)
- 1941 8th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment (Private)
- 1941 Royal West Kent Regiment (Private)
- 1942 Army Air Corps (Private)
- 1942 The 4th Battalion The Parachute Regiment (4 PARA) (Private)
- 1943 The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) (Private)
- 1944 The 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment (3 PARA) (Corporal)
