Lance Corporal Alexander Connolly

Alexander Connolly was born in Donegal Town and was the son of Alexander and Bridget (McBrearty) Connolly. Following the death of his parents and at the age of 13 he went to live with relatives in Glasgow. He subsequently moved to Coventry and worked in a factory producing military vehicles as part of the war effort. Whilst there he met and married Nancy Edwina (Jessett) Connolly on the 16 August 1941. On the 27 June 1942 he became the proud father of a baby girl (Patricia).

In 1942 he enlisted in the General Service Corps, and volunteered for airborne forces.

Lance Corporal Connolly successfully completed glider training and was posted to B Company, 1st (Airborne) Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles and took part in Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

L/Cpl Connolly was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 30, and was given a field burial at Hamminkeln and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery on 22 April 1947

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