Signalman Robert C Mitchell

Signalman Robert Charles Mitchell enlisted into the Royal Signals and volunteered for the airborne forces during World War II.

He qualified as a military parachutist on course 81 which ran at RAF Ringway from 6 to 16 September 1943. The course cadre comprised of reinforcements for the Airborne Divisions, a detachment of Royal Marines from Combined Operations and four men of the 1st Canadian Parachute Battalion.

The course notes recorded the following observations for Sgm Mitchell: "Keen, confident, reliable, performs very well, recommended." He was posted to 6th Airborne Division Signals on completing the course of ground training and eight descents.

He took part in the Normandy campaign and is believed to have been attached to 13th Parachute Battalion which jumped on D-Day 6th June 1944.  Rob was wounded on 19 June by mortar shrapnel.

After convalesence Rob returned to the unit and took part in the Rhine Crossings, Operation Varsity,  in March 1945 when he was wounded again.

After the war in Europe the Battalion moved with the 5th Brigade to the Far East, returning to rejoin the 6th Airborne Division in Palestine in 1946, where it was disbanded

Rob Mitchell died at Pilgrims Hospital, Boston, Lincs on 10 March 2011. Rob leaves a widow Olive Mitchell (nee Bussey), who he married on 10 November 1949, and two sons, Geoffrey and Trevor.

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