Private Thomas W Colewell

Thomas William Colewell enlisted into the Royal Artillery.

Gunner Colewell volunteered for airborne forces and attended Parachute Training course number 65 at RAF Ringway between 17 and 28 May 1943. Although the course witnessed a fatal accident and a crash landing, the number effected was small and the reminder welded themselves into a very good team. Gnr Colwell’s course report stated “Works Hard.”

He was posted to 7 Platoon, S Company, 1st Battalion, The Parachute Regiment and went to fight in Italy.

Pte Colewell jumped into Arnhem on Operation Market Garden on 17 September 1944 and was Killed in Action on 19 September, aged 27. He was initially given a field burial in the Klingelbeekseweg area. On 27 May 1946 he was re-interred at Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Arnhem.

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