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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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John Timothy's recollection of the Bruneval Raid

Bruneval, the site of a German radar unit 12 miles north of Le Havre in France, was the location of the second airborne raid by British Forces during World War II on 28 February 1942.

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Account from John Timothy of Experimental Jump Training

Shortly after his return from the Bruneval Raid, John was transferred to A Company in 2nd Parachute Battalion.

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Extracts from Tim's Tale

Click on a link below for further information:

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Extract from the personal account of John Timothy during the North Africa (Operation Torch) campaign

During February and March the 2nd Battalion was involved in intense fighting with German, Italian and Austrian forces in North East Tunisia.

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John Timothy’s Account of his time as a POW after Arnhem and his subsequent escape with Major Ronnie Stark (1 PARA)

“After a fortnight we were taken for interrogation by a Luftwaffe pilot with a couple of Iron Crosses.

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Victoria Cross citation for Fl Lt David Samuel Lord, Arnhem, 1944

On September 19th, 1944, Flt. Lieut. Lord was pilot and captain of an aircraft detailed to drop supplies to our troops, who were closely surrounded at Arnhem.

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Distinguished Service Cross citation for Reginald Allen

Awarded D.S.C., presented by Gen Eisenhower Citation:

Article

Military Cross citation for Maj Richard Ashford, 1943

Major Richard Ashford was recommended for an award for action in the North African campaign. The following is an extract from National Archives (ref WO 373/1):

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Military Cross citation for Lt Edward Pool, Normandy, 1944

Lieutenant Edward 'Ted' Pool was recommended for an award for action in the Normandy campaign. The following is an extract from Public Records Office (ref WO 373/48):

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Citation for Spr Kill's Mention in Despatches

Sapper Kill served in France as part of the British Expeditionary Force during the early stages of World War II with the 691 (Mowlem) General Construction Company, Royal Engineers.

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Extended biography of Tony Hibbert

Tony Hibbert’s father, James Edmund Hibbert was a rubber planter in Malaya when WW1 started. He sailed for England and was commissioned into the South Lancashire Regiment.

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Major Tony Hibbert's Account of early days with No 2 Commando and 11 SAS Battalion

We waded out into the phosphorescent waters of Dunkirk where I and most of my half battery were picked up by a flotilla of launches which ferried us out to a Thames tug.

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Personal account of Major Tony Hibbert's experiences of the Battle of Arnhem

In July 1944 I passed out of Staff College, and was posted to 1st Parachute Brigade as brigade major to General Lathbury.

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Distinguished Conduct Medal citation for Sidney Cornell

Sergeant Sidney Cornell was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for bravery during the Battle of Normandy. Recommendation as follows:

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Extended history of 11 Special Air Service (SAS) Battalion

On 21st November 1940 No 2 Commando was officially re-designated as the 11th Special Air Service (SAS) Battalion containing a Headquarters, a Parachute Wing and a Glider Wing.

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DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY FOR CICELY PAGET-BOWMAN

Cicely Paget-Bowman, the actress who died on May 23 aged 97, enjoyed a career that spanned five decades; she was mainly a stage actress - one of theatreland's brightest - but was probably best know

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Interview with Cicely Paget-Bowman about her experiences with No 2 Commando and 11 SAS Battalion

I was acting in a repertory company in Glasgow when France fell in 1940.

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Extended biography of James Taylor

Early Days

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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Extended biography of SSgt Sam Isaacs

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

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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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John Timothy's recollection of the Bruneval Raid

Account from John Timothy of Experimental Jump Training

Extracts from Tim's Tale

Extract from the personal account of John Timothy during the North Africa (Operation Torch) campaign

John Timothy’s Account of his time as a POW after Arnhem and his subsequent escape with Major Ronnie Stark (1 PARA)

Victoria Cross citation for Fl Lt David Samuel Lord, Arnhem, 1944

Distinguished Service Cross citation for Reginald Allen

Military Cross citation for Maj Richard Ashford, 1943

Military Cross citation for Lt Edward Pool, Normandy, 1944

Citation for Spr Kill's Mention in Despatches

Extended biography of Tony Hibbert

Major Tony Hibbert's Account of early days with No 2 Commando and 11 SAS Battalion

Personal account of Major Tony Hibbert's experiences of the Battle of Arnhem

Distinguished Conduct Medal citation for Sidney Cornell

Extended history of 11 Special Air Service (SAS) Battalion

DAILY TELEGRAPH OBITUARY FOR CICELY PAGET-BOWMAN

Interview with Cicely Paget-Bowman about her experiences with No 2 Commando and 11 SAS Battalion

Extended biography of James Taylor

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

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