Back to Explore more Personnel

James Thomas Kearns enlisted into The Royal Welch Fusiliers before volunteering for airborne forces.He qualified as a military parachutist on course 21/22 in August 1942 and joined the 1st Parachute Battalion.

Pte Kearns deployed to North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Arnhem, where he served as No 1 on a Bren Gun in 3 Platoon, R Company. He was later taken as a PoW and sent to Stalag 12A at Limburg, Germany.

Private James Kearns

Service History

Operations

Article

Sicily (Operation Husky)
Speed was essential to prevent the consolidation of Italian and German defences facing a rapid pincer movement launched from ...

Article

North Africa (Operation Torch)
On 12 November the 3rd Parachute Battalion (3 Para Bn) jumped onto and seized the vital airfield at Bone between Algiers and ...

Article

Italy
The Italians had capitulated while the force was still at sea. The sinking of HMS Abdiel by a mine in the harbour, however, r...

Article

Arnhem (Operation Market Garden)
1st Allied Airborne Corps, which included the American 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, was tasked to secure the main canal...
Share

Media

Solo photos

James Kearns newly enlisted in Royal Welch Fusilers, date unknown.
James Kearns newly enlisted in Royal Welch Fusilers, date unknown.