Private Robert Somerville

Robert Somerville was born and lived in Edinburgh, he enlisted into The General Serivces Corps. He transferred to The Royal Artillery and later volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Somerville successfully completed parachute training on course number 115 at RAF Ringway, from 8 to 20 May 1944. His course report stated ‘morale good when waiting to jump’ , he was posted to C Company 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion.

He took part in the 6th Airborne response to the German counter-offensive in the Ardennes during Winter 1944-5.

Pte Somerville was killed in action on 6 January 1945, aged 24, and was buried in Bure, Tellin, (Belgium) temporary burial ground. He was later reinterred in Hotton War Cemetery on 21 May 1947.

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