Reginald A Forknall

Reginald Forknall enlisted into the Somerset Light Infantry during the Second World War and volunteered for airborne forces.

He qualified as a military parachutist on Course 134 which ran at RAF Ringway from 18 September to 5 October 1944, and served with 9th Parachute Battalion in the remaining campaigns in North West Europe including Ardennes, the Rhine Crossing and the Advance to the Baltic. He went on to serve in Palestine prior to demobilisation in 1947.

By ParaData Editor

1944
9th (Essex) Parachute Battalion 9th battalion (Private)

Operations

Event

Advance to the Baltic

The airborne soldiers were well suited to exploit the fluid situation that occurred following the collapse of the Rhine barrier defence. Short fierce actions were fought from the tanks of the 4th Tank Battalion of the Grenadier Guards and whatever transport could be purloined.

Event

Ardennes

After the Allied landings in Normandy and subsequent advance through France and Belgium, the German Army had succeeded in stalling the Allied offensive along their line of defence at the German border - the ‘Siegfried Line’.

Event

Palestine

Arab intransigence over the surge of Jewish immigration that followed the Holocaust in Europe led to the forming of extreme dissident Zionist groups such as IZL (Irgun Zwai Leumi) and the Stern Gang, all seeking to promote their aims through violence.

Event

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Operation Varsity was the largest single airborne operation in history. On a single day, over 16,000 men were inserted by glider and parachute into western Germany. Around 8000 of those came from the British 6th Airborne Division, flying aboard 243 C47 aircraft and 440 gliders.

Decorations

OS Reginald A Forknall wearing beret and battle dress

Photos_1

Enlarge Details

9th Para Bn Reunion Club honour Charles Strafford, 1994

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Latest Comments

richard keyte said:

My grandfather served with the 9 Battalion from 1944 to 1947. In later life after moving to France for work, and following his retirement, he was involved with the Merville Battery Committee and also the 9th Battalion reunion club. On his death in 2004 his ashes were interred in Ranville Churchyard.

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Private Reginald A Forknall

09 May 1925 - 18 Jan 2004

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Ardennes

Palestine

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Decorations

Photos_1

Latest Comments

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Private Reginald A Forknall

09 May 1925 - 18 Jan 2004

Service History

Operations

Advance to the Baltic

Ardennes

Palestine

Rhine Crossing (Operation Varsity)

Decorations

Photos_1

Latest Comments

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