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Explore the index to reveal the campaigns, battles, equipment and organisation key to the Airborne Forces' story.

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Extended biography of Tony Crane

Tony was born in Wrexham in October 1924, the son of an Army soldier. His father, a World War I veteran who had fought at the Somme, ended up as a Sgt Major PTI.

Article

Obituary of Lt Col Terence Otway DSO

Lieutenant-Colonel Terence Otway, who died on Sunday aged 92, led the 9th Parachute Battalion in operations on D-Day and was awarded the DSO.

Article

The Border Scouts in Borneo, 1964

Consequent upon the loyal support shown by certain of the races in Sarawak during the Brunei rebellion, it was thought that if more people with a similar purpose in life could be raised along the e

Article

Extract from Chapter 7 'The Valiant Warriors', from 'I've Had My Dance' by Pamela Morris

In spite of having received 'an awfully nice letter' from Roberts, who wrote that they all missed him and wanted him back, Myles refused a proff

Article

Extract from Chapter 8 'To Have and To Hold', from 'I've Had My Dance' by Pamela Morris

It was a very typical wartime wedding. No long white veils or pretty bridesmaids encumbered us.

Article

Obituary of Brig Paul Crook

Brigadier Paul Crook, who has died aged 89, won a DSO for his leadership of 3 Para Group in the assault on El Gamil airfield during the Suez Crisis.

Article

Personal Account of the Suez Drop by Brig Paul Crook

I was in Cyprus commanding 3 Para when the Suez Canal business started. We were flown back to England where we did a couple of battalion exercises after which I gave them all leave.

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Personal Account of the Battle of Plaman Mapu by John 'Patch' Williams

The Indonesians were continuing to try and destabilize the fledgling Federation of Malaysia. So to meet the possible threat of invasion it was decided that 2 Para should be sent to Borneo.

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Extended biography of Brig James Hill

Brigadier James Hill was a World War II Commander, who joined the British Airborne Forces at an early stage, fought in North Africa and went on to play a vital role in the D-Day landings and the cr

Article

Personal account of Brig James Hill's experiences in Normandy

I was somehow in the right place at the right time and early in 1943 I was given command of the 3rd Parachute Brigade which was then in its infa

Article

Personal account of Lt Col (later Brigadier) James Hill's experiences in North Africa

As an officer and a gentleman you have one perk in the army and that's having a good batman.

Article

The PDSA Dickin Medal

The PDSA Dickin Medal, recognised as the animals’ Victoria Cross, is awarded to animals displaying conspicuous gallantry or devotion to duty while serving or associated with any branch of the Armed

Article

Short personal account on receiving the Elizabeth Cross in memory of Cpl Stephen Prior

The Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll is granted to the Next of Kin of UK Armed Forces personnel who have died on operations or as a result of an act of terrorism in national recognition of their

Article

Account of the 1st Airborne ceasefire negotiations to secure the evacuation of injured men from Arnhem, 24 September 1944

Colonel Graeme Warrack was promoted to Assistant Director Medical Services of 1st Airborne Division in May 1944, and held this position in September 1944 when he took part in Operation Market Garde

Article

Peter Clarke recalls his glider insertion to Arnhem carrying 23 Mortar Platoon, 1st Border Regiment, 17 September 1944

"Ours was, as far as I can recollect, one of three glider crews detached from Fairford late in the day to fly one of the gliders allocated on the first day of Market Garden to convey the 1st

Article

A brief list of the cemeteries where Airborne soldiers are buried

The following is a brief list of the burial cemeteries for many casualties from the Airborne Forces during the Second World War, and some from more recent times.

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The work of C Flight and the Paratroop section at the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment, RAF Beaulieu.

AFEE had its origin in the early days at Ringway, developing alongside the Parachute Training School (PTS); the one training paratroops, the other testing aircraft and equipment of the new airborne

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Biographical notes of Brig Mike Dauncey

Originally published in Cheshire Regiment Association Newsletter, September 2002.

Article

Extended biography of SSgt Sam Isaacs

Sam Gregory Isaacs was joined the Army after completing his medical of 7 July 1940.

Article

Extended biography of Geoffrey Pine-Coffin

Richard Geoffrey Pine-Coffin, the son of John Edward and Louise Pine-Coffin, was born on the Pine-Coffin family estate in Devonshire on 2 December 1908

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Extended biography of Pip Tyler

Percy Robert ‘Pip’ Tyler began his military career at the school when he was evacuated in 1940, serving in a local Airforce Cadet Unit.

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Personal account of SSgt Mark Leaver of his experiences at Arnhem

Apart from light flak over various parts of Holland, the journey was fairly uneventful and we landed on the L.Z late afternoon.

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Extended biography of SSgt Tom Gillies

Tommy Gillies was born in Glasgow in 1919, the youngest of four children.

Article

War Diary extract of A Coy 12 Para Bn's action at Le Mesnil 7 July 1944

The action took place in the area of the farm 143730 at 1145 hrs.

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Brief list of campaign medals awarded to Airborne Forces

British and Commonwealth personnel, as well as UK allies have, in the course of service with Airborne Forces been awarded a huge number of campaign medals.

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Brief list of gallantry and distinguished service awards made to Airborne Forces

British and Commonwealth personnel, as well as UK allies have, in the course of service with Airborne Forces often distinguished themselves in the call of duty.

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Staff Sergeant Mike Hall's experience of Operation Turkey-Buzzard and exercises prior to the invasion of Sicily

The RAF codenamed the glider delivery mission as Operation Beggar, the GPR came up with the very apt ‘Operation Turkey-Buzzard’.

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Extended biography of SSgt Mike Hall GPR

Mike Hall volunteered for service in the Territorial Army in 1939 and later enlisted into the London Irish Rifles.

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An Account of a Parachute Hang Up During Parachute Training at Chaklala December 1944

"We were at Chaklala in North West India. I was an R.A.F. Airgunner then, flying as a passenger with an R.C.A.F. crew.

Article

Extended biography of SSgt Les Howard

Les Howard began the war serving in the 2/7 Battalion of the Middlesex Regiment.

Article

Units engaged on Op Herrick XIII

In no particular order. Any omissions are unintentional, and may not include temporary field attachments. HQ 16 Air Assault Brigade

Article

Eulogies to Pte John Howard (3 PARA), killed in Afghanistan on 5 December 2010

Private Howard's family said: "As a family we are absolutely devastated to lose our son, brother, grandson, nephew and cousin.

Article

Eulogies to Cpl Steven Dunn, who killed in Afghanistan on 21 December 2010

The Family of Corporal Dunn said:

Article

Eulogies for Pte Joseva Vatubua (5 SCOTS) who was killed in Afghanistan on 1 January 2011

The family of Private Joseva Vatubua said:

Article

The Genesis of The Red Devils – The Parachute Regiment's Freefall Display Team

THE GENESIS OF THE RED DEVILS – THE PARACHUTE REGIMENT’S FREEFALL DISPLAY TEAM

Article

Eulogies to Ranger Aaron McCormick (1 Royal Irish) killed in Afghanistan on 14 November 2010

Rgr McCormicks Parents said: "We have lost a perfect son - the community has lost a perfect friend,"

Article

Eulogies to Pte Bell (2 PARA), killed in Afghanistan on 25 January 2011

The Family of Private Martin Bell said:

Article

DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY OF GENERAL SIR ANTHONY FARRAR-HOCKLEY

Article

RADFAN FIREFIGHT

In late April 1964, British Army Trucks were rumbling up the Dhala road towards the village of the Thumier, situated in the foothills of the Radfan mountains north of Aden.

Article

GENERAL FARRAR-HOCKLEY'S PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF SERVING WITH 6TH PARACHUTE BATTALION DURING OPERATION MANNA 1944

This is an extract from the book 'Men of the Red Beret' (1990), Hutchison, ISBN 0-09-173931-4. Reproduced by the kind permission of the author Max Arthur.

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Extended biography of Tony Crane

Obituary of Lt Col Terence Otway DSO

The Border Scouts in Borneo, 1964

Extract from Chapter 7 'The Valiant Warriors', from 'I've Had My Dance' by Pamela Morris

Extract from Chapter 8 'To Have and To Hold', from 'I've Had My Dance' by Pamela Morris

Obituary of Brig Paul Crook

Personal Account of the Suez Drop by Brig Paul Crook

Personal Account of the Battle of Plaman Mapu by John 'Patch' Williams

Extended biography of Brig James Hill

Personal account of Brig James Hill's experiences in Normandy

Personal account of Lt Col (later Brigadier) James Hill's experiences in North Africa

The PDSA Dickin Medal

Short personal account on receiving the Elizabeth Cross in memory of Cpl Stephen Prior

Account of the 1st Airborne ceasefire negotiations to secure the evacuation of injured men from Arnhem, 24 September 1944

Peter Clarke recalls his glider insertion to Arnhem carrying 23 Mortar Platoon, 1st Border Regiment, 17 September 1944

A brief list of the cemeteries where Airborne soldiers are buried

The work of C Flight and the Paratroop section at the Airborne Forces Experimental Establishment, RAF Beaulieu.

Biographical notes of Brig Mike Dauncey

Extended biography of SSgt Sam Isaacs

Extended biography of Geoffrey Pine-Coffin

Extended biography of Pip Tyler

Personal account of SSgt Mark Leaver of his experiences at Arnhem

Extended biography of SSgt Tom Gillies

War Diary extract of A Coy 12 Para Bn's action at Le Mesnil 7 July 1944

Brief list of campaign medals awarded to Airborne Forces

Brief list of gallantry and distinguished service awards made to Airborne Forces

Staff Sergeant Mike Hall's experience of Operation Turkey-Buzzard and exercises prior to the invasion of Sicily

Extended biography of SSgt Mike Hall GPR

An Account of a Parachute Hang Up During Parachute Training at Chaklala December 1944

Extended biography of SSgt Les Howard

Units engaged on Op Herrick XIII

Eulogies to Pte John Howard (3 PARA), killed in Afghanistan on 5 December 2010

Eulogies to Cpl Steven Dunn, who killed in Afghanistan on 21 December 2010

Eulogies for Pte Joseva Vatubua (5 SCOTS) who was killed in Afghanistan on 1 January 2011

The Genesis of The Red Devils – The Parachute Regiment's Freefall Display Team

Eulogies to Ranger Aaron McCormick (1 Royal Irish) killed in Afghanistan on 14 November 2010

Eulogies to Pte Bell (2 PARA), killed in Afghanistan on 25 January 2011

DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY OF GENERAL SIR ANTHONY FARRAR-HOCKLEY

RADFAN FIREFIGHT

GENERAL FARRAR-HOCKLEY'S PERSONAL ACCOUNT OF SERVING WITH 6TH PARACHUTE BATTALION DURING OPERATION MANNA 1944

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