Private James Ridyard

James noted in his diary on 20 October 1945 the following: Wounded 1 year ago today at 3.30pm Poppel
Not sure what Poppel means but Jim trod on a German Teller Mine after escaping accross the Rhine after Arnhem getting off a lorry at Nijmegen and consequently lost his left leg (Poppel is a small town just over the border in Belgium perhaps he was hospitalised here before returning to Roehampton)

Jim Ridyard was my father and never really talked about the horrors of war, but he was in Arnhem and he served under John Frost. He was given a signed copy of the book by Maj Gen Frost, and when he died in 1984 the 2nd Battalion Paras attended his funeral and played the last post. He had a book on Operation Market Garden and made references to his part in this operation. He was very proud to be part of 2 PARA "C" Coy and attended many dinners and functions in the presence of their Colonel in Chief Prince Charles. He lost his leg after the battle by a mine on his way home. I remember as a child a photograph of 2 PARA in which he was included but dont know what happened to this. If anyone can confirm knowing him please post a message or contact editor@paradata.org.uk.