Private George Shelley

George Shelley, son of Patrick and Mary Alice Shelley, of Hanwell, Middlesex, enlisted into the Middlesex Regiment, transferred to the Royal Army Ordnance Corps and then volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Shelley undertook parachute training on course 59 at RAF Ringway from 5 to 16 April 1943. His course report stated that he was a good type and has reached a good standard in stick work. He was posted to 6th Battalion (10th Bn The Royal Welch Fusiliers) The Parachute Regiment.

He took part in the amphibious landings in Italy in September 1943, on board a mine layer, HMS Abdiel. Unfortunately, HMS Abdiel struck a mine in Taranto Harbour causing significant casualties and loss of life, including Pte Shelley.

Pte Shelley died at sea on 10 September 1943. Aged 24.

His body was recovered and buried in a common grave at Taranto. He was later identified and re-interred in Bari British Military Cemetery on 3 October 1944.

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