Francis T Millard

Francis Thomas Millard enlisted into the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces in 1945.

Private Millard undertook parachute training course B173 from 22 July to 9 August 1945 at RAF Ringway. The course report states: ‘By hard work and perseverance reached the required standard.’ He went to the Holding Battalion and was later posted to the 2nd Parachute Battalion.

He died aged 20 years in Palestine on 26 October 1947 after being injured in an accident the day before in which the lorry he was travelling in collided with another military vehicle, killing fourteen military personnel.

Pte Millard is now buried in Khayat Beach War Cemetery, Israel.

NB Pte Matthews, also of course B173, died in the same accident as Pte Millard.

Date not known
2nd Parachute Battalion (Private)

Operations

Event

Palestine

Arab intransigence over the surge of Jewish immigration that followed the Holocaust in Europe led to the forming of extreme dissident Zionist groups such as IZL (Irgun Zwai Leumi) and the Stern Gang, all seeking to promote their aims through violence.

Photos_5

Enlarge Details

Cross of Sacrifice, Khayat Beach Cemetery, 1 January 2015.

1 Image Buy Prints
Enlarge Details

Grave of Pte F Millard, Khayat Beach Cemetery, 1 January 2015.

1 Image Buy Prints
Enlarge Details

Mourners at the funeral of 2nd Parachute Battalion members, Khayat Beach War Cemetery, 1947.

1 Image Buy Prints
Enlarge Details

Funeral for members of the 2nd Parachute Battalion, who died 25/26 October 1947, Khayat Beach War Cemetery.

1 Image Buy Prints
Enlarge Details

Funeral for members of 2nd Parachute Battalion, who died 25/26 October 1947, Khayat Beach War Cemetery.

1 Image Buy Prints