Private Alfred Tate

Alfred Tate originally served in the York and Lancaster Regiment, enlisting with them 22 April 1939, before volunteering for Airborne Forces.

He was on parachute course 61B/62, which ran between 26 April and 4 May 1943, at RAF Ringway. His instructor noted this about Alfred :

"Good worker - good standard, make reliable paratroop"

His Platoon Commander was Lieutenant Jack Grayburn.

He took off from Saltby aerodrome in Lincolnshire on Sunday, 17 September 1944 as a member of 2 Platoon, A-Company, 2nd Parachute Battalion and parachuted onto DZ ‘X’ near Heelsum in Holland as part of ‘Operation Market-Garden’. His Section Commander, Sergeant Frank (Paddy) Lyoness twisted his ankle on the DZ and took no further part in the battle. No 2 Section was then lead by Corporal. Priestley. 

His granddaughter recalls Alfred saying "He was hit in the school in Arnhem after a grenade exploded and was bleeding on the back of his head he recalled “I thought well that’s me, I’m gone” 

In the battle around the Arnhem Bridge area he suffered gunshot / shrapnel wounds to the leg and was then taken prisoner. He recalled the German soldiers sharing chocolate and cigarettes noting they deserved them. 

He was sent to Stalag XIB (Fallingbostel), No 117923.
Alfred was sent to work in the Labour Camps attached to Stalag XI-B, Fallingbostel, 7004, P5/840950, 9 miles SSW of Brunswick - XI Work Camps attached to Stalag XI-B, Fallingbostel, 7005 Salzgitter.

He recalled observing the appalling state of the people there in the striped clothing. At this point there were rumours of gas showers and he wondered if this would happen to him. 

Alfred recalled his escape from POW where he and 2 others “took” a vehicle from German soldiers, “we sorted them” he said.

They found their way to Allied forces nearby who were American. This may have been after liberation of the camps, the group may have decided to find their own way. Or it may have been on “The March”

Records do not confirm his escape from POW but Alfred did state that he and a few others escaped and made their way to Allied forces.

He was still a POW according to records found dated early during 1945

He sang in the army concerts and played the harmonica. being quite the joker. 
His family recalled him stating that he was put on 'jankers' after a concert where he sang “If I was Brigadier” and his version of “Kiss Me Goodnight Sergeant Major” titled  “I Hate You Sergeant Major” - being told ‘you will never be brigadier’ by the officers in charge.

This event may correlate with his punishment for being “drunk and disorderly in the field” on his records, which resulted in court marshal. 

His disciplinary record indicates instances of disobedience and defiance, contributing to his persona as a spirited and possibly unruly soldier showcasing his rebellious and humorous spirit.

He recalled contracting malaria in North Africa which may be why his records show him being admitted to military hospital upon his return. 

Alfred was a successful boxer in The Army. 

After returning home he visited the family of a fellow Para who was also from Sheffield LANCE CORPORAL PETER G H W BADGER- to inform them that he had been with him when he died. This is an area of uncertainty with facts, as Alfred recalled seeing him die on the bridge and covered him with his coat. But records denote Badger died in an unfortunate accident in May 1945. The family has been unable to establish the details of this as records were only discovered after Alfred’s death in Jan 2005. 

Post-War and Personal Life

• 27 May 1946: Discharged from the Army and released to Class Z(T) Army Reserve.

• 14 September 1949: Death of former wife, Jessie Carr at 256 Queen Mary Road, Sheffield. During the war, they had separated, as denoted by Alfred’s change in ‘next of kin’ details to his sister Mrs Wrag. 

• October 1949: Marries Irene Barker in Sheffield, Yorkshire West Riding. (See pic)