Private Edward Reynolds

Edward 'Ted' Reynolds joined the Dorset Regiment in 1938 after lying about his age he was 16 at the time, his mother tried to get him back but he was quickly transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry and embarked for India. His platoon commander at the time was Lt John Waddy.

In late 1941 he volunteered with John Waddy and 78 others to form part of a new unit eventually named the 151 parachute Battalion after jump training and a little action supressing violent demonstrations in Delhi. In 1942 the Battalion was sent to Egypt as the nucleus of a new 4th Brigade adding 2 new Battalions (10th and 11th) and support units on arrival in Kabrit, the Battalion now redesignated the 156 Battalion.

Ted was Bren gunner in B coy 6 Platoon. The Brigade then moved to Palestine for further training. Later that year the Brigade saw action in Italy (minus the 11th Batt but with Popskis private army in support) In operation Slapstick. By this time they had became part of the new Parachute Reg. The Battalion then moved to England and were held in reserve ending up barracked at Melton Mowbray (after a few moves) Ted met, and after the war, married a local woman. After many 'stand to's' the Battalion took part in Market Garden parachuting into Arnhem on the second lift on day 2. He was a member of B Coy, 6 Pln Ted managed to get on the last boat  unscathed (at least physically) on Op. Berlin. Ted's Coy CO at Arnhem was the same John Waddy (now Major) he had started off his adventure with.

After 156 Battalion and 4th Brig disbanded Ted was transferred to 1 Para Bn and sent to Denmark and then Palestine with 3 para ending up in the Lebanon at the Elephant ski club

Ted was cited unsuccessfully for an MID after Op. Market Garden. For more information about Ted and the airborne units he served with read 'From Delhi to Arnhem' by John O'Reilly. The profile image is taken from this book. It shows Ted when he was a member of The Somerset Light Infantry, prior to joining The 151 Battalion in India.