Arthur G Broadbent

Arthur enlisted, in Birmingham, on 5 October 1939 with The South Lancashire Regiment. He was a printer before enlistment. Arthur's records state he was part of The British Expeditionary Force (BEF) 13 November to 23 June 1940. He then volunteered for service with the airborne forces

He successfully became a member of the 2nd Parachute Battalion 8 January 1943 after passing parachute jump training at RAF Ringway. He was on course 36, which ran between 5 and 12 November 1942. This course had 1 fatality and 2 other serious injuries. 

Arthur was wounded in action in North Africa and was posted back to The South Staffordshire Regiment on the 15 November 1943. He was subsequently posted to 15 Platoon, C Company, 2nd Bn, The South Staffs, which was part of the 1st Airlanding Brigade in the 1st Airborne Division. With this unit he took part in Operation
‘Market-Garden’ and suffered a gunshot wound to the chest. Initially listed as missing, he was eventually found at St. Margaret's hospital undergoing treatment, having been evacuated back over the Lower Rhine on the night of the 25/26 September 1944.

Arthur was discharged 3 January 1946, owing to his age and B1 fitness classification. This classification was probably due to the injuries listed in his service records: 'rocket' wounds to chest, right and left thighs and left eyebrow.