Private James A Towers

James Alfred (Jimmy) Towers was the son of James Alfred and Florence May Towers, of Liverpool, he enlisted in the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and volunteered for airborne forces.

Given his length of service and his age at death (19) it is quite possible that he was not entirely honest with regard to his age when he enlisted.

Private Towers successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 28, following ground training at Hardwick Hall, from 21 to 28 September 1942. He returned to Ringway for a refresher course on course number 91 from 11 to 26 November 1943. His course report stated “Previously trained, performance satisfactory”. He was posted to B Company, 12th (10th Bn., The Green Howards [Yorkshire Regiment]) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

Pte Towers was killed in action on 12 June 1944, aged 19, and was given a field burial at Breville and was re-interred in Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France, on 5 July 1945.

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