Private Robert Cresswell

Robert Cresswell was the son of Clarence and Catherine Cresswell, of Ellesmere Port, Cheshire.

He enlisted into his county regiment and had been promoted to Lance Corporal by the time that he volunteered for airborne forces in early 1943.

Bob Cresswell qualified as a military parachutist on course 57, which ran at RAF Ringway from 22 March to 11 April 1943. The course instructors’ notes record: ‘very fine performance as NCO and pupil.’

He was selected to serve with 21st Independent Parachute Company, the pathfinder force for the 1st Airborne Division, and reverted to the rank of Private.

In May, 21 Para Coy sailed to North Africa and continued its training in preparation for the Sicily landings. The limited requirements for pathfinders on this operation meant that only ten men from the company were subsequently used.

Bob Cresswell eventually deployed with 21 Para Coy for the amphibious landings at Taranto, Italy, on 9 September 1943.

By 19 September the company was camped in woods just outside Massafra. A reconnaissance patrol was sent out under the command of Lt Guy d’Arifat, which encountered Germans on the main Foggia to Altamura road near a railway halt.

The Germans opened fire with a machine gun, killing Bob Cresswell and wounding Pte Lewis. His body was left at a nearby convent and Bob was given a field burial the following morning.

Pte Bob Cresswell died on 21 September 1943, aged 22 years, and is now buried at Bari War Cemetery.

Headstone photograph courtesy of Bob Hilton.