Private Arthur Mackie

Arthur Mackie, husband of Vera Annie Mackie, of Tranmere, Birkenhead, enlisted into The Cheshire Regiment.

He volunteered for airborne forces in late 1941. He undertook the 1st advanced training course at RAF Ringway 4 to 11 January 1942. The first advanced training course involving a night descent from a balloon and aircraft descents with arms containers.

Private Mackie was posted to S Company, the 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. He saw active service on Operation Torch in North Africa. The War Office announced he was Mentioned (Mentioned in Despatches) in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in North Africa in The London Gazette, 23 Septemebr 1943.

Pte Mackie also served in Sicily and Italy before returning to the UK. Pte Mackie jumped into Arnhem on Operation Market Garden on Sunday 17 September 1944.

Pte Mackie ‘Died of Wounds’, aged 33 years, on 20 September 1944 and was buried by the Reverends Daniel McGowan and Alan Buchanan in the grounds of Municipal Hospital at Arnhem.

On 22 August 1945 he was reinterned at Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Arnhem.