Private Peter Best

Private Peter Best was the son of Horace Charles and Elsie Emily Ellen Best of Liverpool. In 1943, he volunteered for service with the Parachute Regiment at the age of 18 and attended course 93 at Ringway, qualifying as a parachutist in December 1943. He joined 11th Parachute Battalion, forming part of the 4th Parachute Brigade, and jumped as part of the 2nd lift during Operation Market Garden. The Battalion was detached from Hackett’s 4th Parachute Brigade when it landed and ordered to reinforce the 2nd Battalion at the bridge.

Private Best was killed on the approaches into Arnhem on 18 September 1944, aged only 19 years old. He was given a field burial in the Bronbeek area on the Velperweg and was later buried at Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Arnhem.