Sergeant John Douthwaite

John Douthwaite was born in Sunderland on 27 May 1921 and was known as Jack.

‘Jack’ joined the 14 Bn Durham Light Infantry on 18 July 1940 as a Home Defence Bn. He attended Anti-Tank courses in February and May 1943, before being shipped out to North Africa.

Sergeant Douthwaite volunteered for airborne forces in November 1943 and did his parachute training in Italy, He was then posted to 16 Platoon, D Company, The 5th (Scottish) Parachute Battalion (5th Para Bn) .

He served with the 5th Para Bn in Italy and in the South of France on Operation Dragoon in August 1944 and was part of the Athens occupation force in the winter of 1944-5 (Operation Manna).

He returned Home in June 1945 for a bit of rest and recuperation (R&R) before being posted to Palestine in October 1945, where he remained until July 1946.

Finally, he returned home to marry Lily Knight on 14 August 1946, Sgt Douthwaite was demobbed in July 1947.

‘Jack’ and Lily went on to have three children, Jacqueline, Richard and John .

‘Jack’ passed away in September 1999.