Sergeant John Molloy

Sgt Johnny Molloy joined the 1st Battalion, The Border Regiment in 1938.

He was in the Carrier Platoon from 22 July 1939 and went to France with the British Expeditionary Force as a Lance Corporal. Johnny Molloy was safely evacuated with the remants of the BEF and returned to the UK. The following year, on 10 October 1941, the battalion became part of the 1st Air Landing Brigade and he was later granted his glider badge on 2 August 1942.  He attended an Hispano-Suiza course which ran from 30 July to 5 August .

On 17 May 1943 he went to North Africa for the Sicily invasion and subsequently embarked from Syracuse Harbour for the Italian landings, returning back to the UK in December 1943. 

By the time of the Arnhem operation he was a Sergeant in Support Company's Anti-tank Platoon and was in charge of the 6 pounder gun 'Scimitar Hill. The gun crew comprised of Pte Danny Farrel as No 1, Pte Sandy Masterton as No 2, Gordon Ennion as No 3 and Gordon Haskins as the jeep driver.

Sgt Molloy was captured on 26 September 1944 and sent to Stalag XIIA Limburg s.de. Lahn and  returned to the UK on the 11 April 1945 after the camp was liberated.

He was discharged on 22 August 1945, returning home to Manchester, and later married  Mary (Betty) Idle.

I have written this to the best of my knowledge and if anyone has further information I would be very grateful to hear from you.