Sergeant Albert W F Reid

Albert William Francis Reid was the son of Albert John Joseph and Rosalie Ellen Florence (Harris) Reid, of London, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Sergeant Reid successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 47 from 18 January to 1 February 1943. His course report stated “Keen and reliable, hard worker”. He was posted to B Company, 10 Platoon, 9th Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (‘D’ Day landings), Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Sgt Reid 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 Hovelsmannhof, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 30 October 1946.

Albert  is mentioned on Capt Robinson’s aircraft #43-15184, Nose/Tail 75/P, Chalk #82 on Varsity (book – Valor Without Arms).

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