Private Bernard Haikin, son of Katia and the late Yascha Haikin, of London, served with 156th Parachute Battalion. He took part in the Battle of Arnhem, during Op Market Garden. Private Haikin died on 25 September 1944, aged 24 years old. 

Bernard was parachute jump trained at RAF Kabrit on Course 33. This course consisted of 5 descents and commenced on the 11 April 1943. The Transfer and Enlistment ledgers state he volunteered for service with the airborne forces from The REME. However his service number suggests he joined The Suffolk Regiment when he first enlisted with the British Army. 

John O’Reilly in his book on the 156 Battalion, 'From Delhi to Arnhem', said that Bernard suffered an injury to his left cheek during a bombing raid on London prior to joining up. He also added that Bernard, when billeted in Melton Mowbray in 1944 on his return from the Mediterranean, met a young lady, Edna Saunders in a café. She was a Land Army girl working in the area and they became close friends.

At the time of Market Garden he was a member of 8 Platoon of B Company. His Platoon Commander was Lieutenant D Kayne and his Company Commander was Major J Waddy. Dropping on DZ 'Y' on the second day the Battalion on the 19th was ordered to try and get across the Dreijenseweg north of Oosterbeek and head towards Arnhem. The Battalion had a tough time on this road and numerous casualties were sustained particularly in A and B Companies. Bernard survived this nasty engagement and also took part in the ‘wanderings’ of the 4th Parachute Brigade in the woods until reaching Oosterbeek on the 20th. It is likely Bernard was killed on this day given the location of where he was recovered from post-war. The ‘official’ date of death for Bernard is 25 September 1944. It is understood, that Bernard was recovered from the Sonnenberg area and reburied in Plot 28 Row B Grave 4 on 23 October 1945. As he was of the Jewish faith his headstone bears a Star of David and the wording chosen for his headstone reads "A Great Cause Took His Life Always Missed By His Sister and Brothers". Bernard was a single man and sadly when the survivors came back from Arnhem. Edna was waiting for him only to find that he had not made it.

Profile photo from John O'Reilly's collection. Additional information kindly supplied by Niall Cherry.