Private William J Poulter

William John Poulter was the son of William Edward and Annie Mary (Bishop) Poulter; husband of Phyllis Joyce Sylvia Poulter, of Romford, Essex, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Poulter successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 85 from 29 September to 10 October 1943. His course report stated "Energetic and keen, average jumper". He was posted to 13th (2/4th Battalion the South Lancashire Regiment) Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (‘D’ Day landings) Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Poulter was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 21, whilst taking part in the daylight parachute drop into Germany as part of the Rhine Crossing during Operation Varsity and was given a field burial at Hamminkeln, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 14 November 1946.

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