Private Albert Breen

Albert Breen was born in Newport, Wales. He worked as a painter and decorator before he enlisted into the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment in December 1933.

Before the outbreak of The Second World War he served in Egypt, Palestine and India.

He served in Tobruk and Burma with the Beds and Herts and returned to England in 1944.

Once home he volunteered for airborne forces and married his sweetheart Daisy directly before leaving to commence his ground training at Hardwick Hall.

Private Breen attended Parachute Training Course number 126 at RAF Ringway Course between 23 July and 5 August 1944. His report states that he was ‘average standard, keen to learn, lacks co-ordination.’

After initially being posted to the Airborne Forces Holding Unit, he was posted to Mortar Platoon, Headquarters Company 7th (Light Infantry) Battalion in October 1944.

Private Breen saw active service in The Ardennes and on Operation Varsity.

He was demobbed in August 1945.

Albert lived and worked in Gravesend and went on to have two daughters and five grandchildren.

Albert died in 1959.