Driver Ernest Field

Driver Ernest Field served with the Royal Engineers during World War II

Records indicate that Driver Field was either serving with 591 (Antrim) Field Company RE, or volunteered from another field company, when it was turned over to airborne forces and redesignated as 591 (Antrim) Parachute Sqn RE.

He attended RAF Ringway for parachute training on course 69B, which ran from 21 June to 1 July 1943. The course cadre comprised 90 men from 591 Sqn of which only six failed to complete the course as a result of refusal or injury. The course instructors' notes record that Driver Field "worked hard - attained a good standard."

He served in 1 Troop and took part in the Normandy and Ardennes campaigns. One month after returning to the UK, he deployed for a third time on Operation Varsity, the Rhine crossing into Germany, this time by glider with troops under the command of Captain Harbord.

Unfortunately the glider grounded within 20 yards of a German 88mm gun and Captain Harbord, Sapper Adams, Sapper Job and Driver Field were killed immediately.

Driver Ernest Field died on 24 March 1945, aged 24 years, and is now buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Headstone photograph courtesy of Bob Hilton.