Private Wilfred Gardner

Wilfred Gardner was the son of William S and Elizabeth A Gardner, of Preston, Lancashire, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Gardner successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 154B from 20 February to 6 March 1945. His course report stated “Rather slow but progressed well and became good stick jumper”. He was posted to 13th (2/4th Battalion the South Lancashire Regiment) Bn., the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Gardner was killed in action on 31 March 1945, aged 19, and was given a field burial at Greven, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 23 May 1947.

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