Private Howard J Fortey

Howard James Fortey was the son of John and Mary Ann Fortey, of Llantilio Crossenny, Monmouthshire, he enlisted in the York and Lancaster Regiment and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Fortey successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 94/95 from 6 to 20 December 1943. His course report stated “Keen but nervous”. He was posted to 224 Para Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, attached to 13th (2/4 Battalion The South Lancashire Regiment) Battalion, the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy), and The Battle of the Bulge (Ardennes).

Pte Fortey was killed in action on 3 January 1945, aged 33, and was given a field burial at Bure Temporary Burial Ground and was re-interred to Hotton War Cemetery, Luxembourg, Belgium, on 21 May 1947.

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