Sergeant Henry H Hacker

Henry Herbert Hacker enlisted into The East Surrey Regiment.

He volunteered for airborne forces in March 1943. After the selection process at Hardwick Hall was complete he was sent to RAF. Ringway to undergo his parachute training. Completing course 61B/62, in early May 1943 with the instructor commenting: ‘Sgt Hacker: Keen And efficient, intelligent NCO. Excellent performance.’

This was a re-inforcement course for the 1st Parachute Brigade, which was in North Africa and they were soon sent out on a troopship as part of a large convoy. Sgt Hacker was posted to The 2nd Parachute Battalion (2 Para Bn).

He jumped with the 1st Parachute Brigade during the hard fought costly attempt to secure the Primosole Bridge in Sicily on 13 July 1943; and participated in the later sea landings and fighting around Taranto in Italy the following September. In November he returned to the UK.

On 17 September 1944, Sgt Hacker was a section commander and jumped into Arnhem on Operation Market Garden with 6 Platoon, B Company 2 Para Bn. He was wounded and treated at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Taken a Prisoner of War he was sent to Stalag VII A at Moosburg, Germany.