Sergeant James McCready

James McCready was born in Darlington, County Durham.

He enlisted in the Army in 1937 and was first posted to 4th Gibraltar Heavy Bty RA. Service records state he was a 'Porter/Polisher' before enlistment. 

On 8 June 1943 he volunteered for the airborne forces and was parachute jump trained at RAF Ringway on Course 71. This Course ran between 5 and 17 July 1943. His jump instructor noted this about James' performance:

"Excellent performance - confident, reliable NCO" James was a Cpl at this time.

Jim then joined 11 Pln, T Coy, 1 Para Bn. With them he went on operations in N Africa, Sicily, Italy, Arnhem, Denmark and Palestine. It is believed that Jim was one of the men that braved the swim across the Rhine river at Oosterbeek after 9 days of fierce fighting at the battle of Arnhem. For further detail of James' service please read the service record transcription attached to this profile. Jim returned to the Royal Artillery in August 1948 where he served until he was discharged from the Regular Army in 1959.  

Jim was married to Florence and they had 3 sons. 

Jim passed away in Basildon, Essex in 2002.  He requested that his ashes be scattered with his comrades at the airborne cemetery in Arnhem.