Trooper Charles C Bolton

Charles Cecil Bolton was born in April 1923. He enlisted into The Queen's Royal Regiment on the 5th November 1941, before volunteering for the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron in 1942. He saw service with them in North Africa and Italy in 1943.

During training in the UK, Bolton proved every inch a typical airborne soldier when he was in a work party under Lt Dougie Galbraith comprising soldiers from both A and D Troops near Cirencester constructing a new camp. Bolton’s 21st birthday was coming up and he requested leave to travel home as his mother was going to hold a party for him. The leave request was refused as they were on duty and MPs were out in force rounding up deserters.

Bolton, therefore, asked his mates to cover for him, then set off home that afternoon to attend the party anyway. The next day when Lt Galbraith asked about Bolton’s whereabouts he was sent on “a merry dance” around the camp by Bolton’s mates.

The next morning Bolton returned early and on parade received a “hard stare” from Lt Galbraith who was keen to ensure his presence. Later, at lunch, Lt Galbraith approached Bolton and apologised for not being able to give him leave; Bolton replied "That's alright sir, I quite understand. Would you like a slice of my mum's birthday cake?".

At Arnhem on Sunday 17 September 1944, Bolton parachuted onto DZ-X near Heelsum. A member of No 12 Section, D Troop, he was the Number 1 on a Bren gun with Trooper Bert Welham acting as his Number 2. Together in a "D" Troop Headquarters jeep with Corporal George Dixon and Trooper Ron Brooker, they accompanied Major Gough in his search for Major-General Urquhart, and ended up at Arnhem Bridge.

Sunday 17 September 1944

The extent of the enemy positions needed to be established, and who better to accomplish part of this task than the Recce Squadron men, Trooper ‘Ron’ Brooker; “It was quite dark when Lieutenant McNabb was ordered to take Recce members on a patrol to locate enemy positions, and perhaps make contact with our other battalions. Troopers Bolton, Welham and myself made up the patrol. We left the building by the main door, crossed the yard to our right and made our way between the buildings, past the back of the church, and we arrived at a large square with a building built on an island in the centre. There was a group of German infantry in the area of the building, and it looked as if it was being prepared as a strong point. We stayed under cover, but could not make any forward progress. We attempted entering the buildings on our left, but we returned to our building, having achieved nothing.” [1]

They all became part of the force at the bridge that defended it against attempts by the Germans to recapture it.

Gough mentioned Bolton in a 1967 interview:

"Bolton was crawling all over the place, sniping," says Gough, 'and every time he'd hit a German, he'd grin widely and say there goes another one of those bastards'.[2]

Monday, 18 September 1944.

At the main road bridge a composite force, of company size was formed under the command of Captain Bernard Briggs, the Staff Officer for 1st Parachute Brigade and had moved into position on the evening of the 17th. They were to defend the buildings on the Eastern side of the Northern Bridge ramp. The main part of the force was made up of ‘J’ Section, 1st Airborne Divisional Signals under Lieutenant John Cairns, the small Ordnance Field Park Advance Party under Captain Bernard Manley and a ‘lone’ Bren gunner, Trooper Charles Bolton, otherwise known as ‘Darkie’ to the men of ‘D’ Troop and ‘Massa’ to the officers. “We were visited by Major Tatham-Warter, 2nd Battalion, who later sent us a Bren gunner, Trooper. Bolton, of the 1st Airborne Recce Squadron, who fought during the following days with great calmness and literally refused to be parted from his gun. He hated the thought of anyone using it, but him, and would wake from a cat-nap at any movement and leap to it ready to fire. He was a crack shot and a fine, splendid soldier.” [3]

Tuesday, 19 September 1944.

Still fighting alongside the composite force was Trooper ‘Darkie’ Bolton. ‘Bert’ Welham had vivid recollections of how “Darkie” Bolton, on his frequent sorties with the Bren, “would invariably give the Germans the ‘V’ sign, just before dropping down into cover.” [4]

Wednesday, 20 September 1944.

In the fighting around the Arnhem Bridge area, where resistance by the British force was still keeping the enemy, at bay another attack was about to be launched at the defenders of the buildings on the eastern side of the northern bridge ramp. Captain Bernard Briggs and Lieutenant ‘Pat’ Barnett were doubtful that they would survive the next assault. “The party was at its height – and no one was enjoying it except Trooper. ‘Massa’ Bolton with his Bren – when suddenly we heard blood curdling yells of ‘Whoa Mohammed!’ [Major] ‘Pongo’ Lewis [C-Company, 3rd Parachute Battalion] had arrived, and was attacking.” [5]

Bolton was recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal for his actions at Arnhem, but was instead awarded the Dutch Bronze Cross in an agreement with the United States and the Dutch to commemorate soldiers with foreign awards. His citation reads:

On the night of September 17th 1944, Trooper Bolton was serving as Bren Gunner in a composite company guarding the road bridge at Arnhem. He was posted in a very exposed position in order effectively to cover the causeway and approaches to the bridge. He was continuously at his post day and night until September 20th when this force was recalled to Brigade Headquarters.

It was largely due to the extreme accuracy of fire and coolness of this soldier that continuous attacks by the enemy were repulsed. He was always finding targets and used his weapon with devastating results. Throughout the action this soldiers cheerfulness, steadfastness and utter disregard of his own personal safety had the greatest effect upon the morale of all ranks.[6]

Bolton was taken prisoner at the end of the fighting around Arnhem Bridge. After returning from a prisoner of war camp, he rejoined the Squadron on their return to the UK from Norway in late 1945. On hearing that the Squadron and 1st Airborne Division were to be disbanded, he volunteered to join the 21st Independent Parachute Company which became a part of the 6th Airborne Division, and was officially transferred on the 26th November 1945. He served with them in Palestine.

Charles Cecil Bolton died in an accident on 20 December 1971. A note regarding what happened to him appeared in the 1st Airborne Recce Squadron Newsletter, No.36, in November 1992, by Jack Watson, Honorary Secretary / Editor.

I have heard another story recently concerning his demise. He always came home from work by train, and just before the train pulled into his station it had to pass close to some allotments - whether one was his I don't know. Apparently he was in the habit of opening the carriage door and jumping off the train when reaching these allotments. On the last occasion, his parachute (metaphorically speaking) failed to open and he was killed. Don't ask me for further details because that's all I was told.

[1] Ron Brooker personal account. 2002.

[2] Interview for Cornelius Ryan. 7 April 1967.

[3] & [5] Personal account of Capt. B.W. Briggs. Airborne Assault Museum, Duxford.

[4] ‘Remember Arnhem’, by John Fairley. Page 104.

[6] London Gazette. 8 November 1945.