Private Herbert R Brownrigg

Private Herbert Ronald Brownrigg was the son of Robert and Margaret Brownrigg, and came from Yorkshire.

It is believed that he enlisted into The Royal Warwickshire Regiment.

He attended Parachute Training Course 51 which ran at RAF Ringway from 15 to 27 February 1943. This was a standard course of eight descents comprising  three balloon descents, including one at night, and five aircraft descents. Although nervous at first, as most pupils are, Pte Brownrigg finished the the course very well.

Shortly after the course, on 13 June 1943, members of 8th Para Bn were on training Exercise Bluebell, and jumped at 15:55 hours over the Firth of Tay in Scotland. The Battalion's war diary records that eight men from this jump landed in the river. Another man, RSM Parsons landed on a sand bank was able to get ashore with help and reported to the police. Initially, no trace of the others was found and they were presumed drowned. This included Pte Brownrigg aged 19 years old. He is now commemorated on the Memorial at Brookwood Military Cemetery, Surrey.

Brookwood Memorial Photo reproduced by kind permission of CWGC.