Joseph 'Joe' Noel Jarrold was born on 1 January 1923 in Ickleton, Cambridgeshire. Joe was the youngest of 8 siblings. His father, Charles worked as a farm labourer and cared for heavy horses, which was a skilled and demanding role in rural Cambridgeshire. Tragically Charles died at the age of 42, leaving his wife, Elizabeth to raise the family alone. Joe was only a year old at the time, and it is easy to imagine his 5 sisters doting on him during those difficult years.

Joe was educated at the local village school and sang in the parish church. Joe had a deep love of sport, especially football, and was known for his enthusiasm across many athletic pursuits. By all accounts, he was a lively member of the community - often getting into mischief with his older brothers. 

At the outbreak of the Second World War, Joe's 2 older brothers enlisted. The eldest joined the Royal Engineers. Not wanting to be left behind, Joe travelled to Cambridge, lied about his age (his service records state his date of birth as 1 January 1922) and successfully enlisted in the Royal Artillery on 1 August 1939. Initially with the 146th Field Regiment assigned to coastal and anti-aircraft defence duties, Joe later learned to ride horses, possibly as part of a gun carriage team. His trade on enlistment was "Butcher's Assistant".

In 1942, Joe was posted to N. Africa. His battalion embarked on a 7 day voyage around Africa, crossing the Equator twice. Upon arrival in Egypt, the 146th Field Regiment joined the 8th Army and participated in the Second Battle of El Alamein and the Tunisian campaign. 

In June 1943 Joe transferred to the "HQ 4th Airborne Division"(4th Airborne Brigade) and successfully parachute jump trained at RAF Ramat David. He was a pupil on Course 57, which ran between 31 July to August 1943. Joe then became a member of the 11th Para Battalion. He was deployed to Italy and then returned to the UK 6 January 1944.

In August 1943 Col. Thomas, the CO of The 11th Para Bn., took the fully trained platoons from B Coy and C Coy plus a section of 3" mortars and an anti-tank detachment to reinforce A Coy. This unit was tasked with assisting with the occupation of some of the Dodecanese Islands and the battle for Kos. It is possible Joe was part of this new A Company, as he was part of a mortar team. However the mortar and anti tank units were returned to to the rest of The Battalion 22-23 September. Unfortunately Joe's service records do not record this level of detail, but they do list him as being awarded an Italy Star medal.     

Further information can be found in the book "Arnhem Their Final Battle" - The 11th Parachute Battalion 1943-44, by Gerrit Pijpers OBE and David Truesdale.  

On 18 September 1944, the 11th Para Bn, emplaned for Op. Market Garden. Joe returned to the UK on 29 September 1944. He never spoke much about the War. All he ever said was, "Swimming The Rhine in your underpants in the dark is not the easiest undertaking". 

After Arnhem, the remnants of the 11th Para Bn were absorbed into the 3rd Para Bn. and sent to Palestine 23 September 1945. Joe's service records state he made this transfer 10 December 1944. Joe never discussed his experiences in Palestine. Ironically, it was during an organised football match that he suffered a knee injury, rupturing his cruciate ligament. Joe was sent home and arrived back in the UK on 16 April 1946. A few months later on 16 October 1946, Joe joined the Reserves. 

Joe's Army and football career were over, but his love for both remained. Between 1946 and 1951, he bought a motorbike, another passion. In 1951, he married Stella, shortly after, his son was born. Joe became a lorry driver, a career he continued until his death. His final job, his most fulfilling: working as a civilian driver for the Army. Being back in the environment brought him great satisfaction. 

Joe died in 1984 at the age of 60. He was immensely proud of his Army service, though he rarely spoke of it. It's clear he carried a deep affection for the military - a life he may have wished had never ended. 

Written by Norman Jarrold son of Joe. With some additional information sourced from service records and the Airborne Assault archives.