Private Douglas H Charlesworth

Douglas Haig Charlesworth was the son of Gilbert and Mary Charlesworth, and husband of Clara Megan of Cheetham Hill, Manchester.

He served in the 2nd/4th Battalion, The South Lancashire Regiment, during the Second World War. The battalion was turned over to airborne duties in May 1943 to form part of the 5th Parachute Brigade of the 6th Airborne Division, and redesignated as the 13th (Lancashire) Parachute Battalion.

Pte Charlesworth attended RAF Ringway for parachute training on course 72, which ran from 12 to 23 July 1943, along with other members of the 13th Para Bn and 8th Para Bn.

The combined intake of 335 trainees completed over 2,500 parachute descents on the course. Unfortunately, Pte Charlesworth was killed towards the end of the course on a descent when his parachute failed to open properly.

Pte Charlesworth died on 22 July 1943, aged 24 years, and is now buried in Manchester Southern Cemetery, where he is commemorated on Panel 2 of the Screen Wall.

Cemetery photograph courtesy of CWGC.