Private Leslie Thomas

Leslie Thomas was the son of Edward George and Edith Ann Thomas, of Coventry; husband of Iris Maureen (Ainsworth) Thomas, of Canley, Coventry, he enlisted in the Royal Ulster Rifles and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Thomas successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 68 from 14 to 27 June 1943. His course report stated, ”Has progressed and reached a good standard”. He was posted to HQ Company, 8th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (‘D’ Day Landings) and Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Thomas was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 22, whilst taking part in the daylight parachute drop into Germany as part of the Rhine Crossing during operation Varsity and was given a field burial at Diersfortwald, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 30 October 1946.

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