Private Reginald C J Ventham

Reginald Charles John Ventham was the son of Reginald Thomas and Rose Ventham, of Gravesend, Kent; husband of Gladys Kate Ventham, of Gravesend (married 8 January 1943) daughter Lilian Rose 1944 – 2014. He enlisted in the Non-Combatant Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Ventham successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 75B, after ground training at Hardwick Hall, from 26 July to 6 August 1943, his course report stated “Nervous but no hesitation, keen”. He was posted to 225 Para Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, Attached HQ 6th Airborne Division, and took part in Operation Overlord (Normandy).

Pte Ventham was killed in action on 7 June 1944, aged 29, and was given a field burial at Pont L’Eveque and re-interred to Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France, on 29 October 1945.

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