Private Trevor Barnett

Trevor Barnett was born in Ogmore Vale, Glamorgan.

He enlisted into the Durham Light Infantry, and later volunteered for The Parachute Regiment whilst in Palestine. He attended parachute training course number 29 at RAF Ramat David between 29 March and 7 April 1943, jumping from C47s.

Private Barnett was posted to 17 Platoon, D Company, the 10th Parachute Battalion.

The Battalion was posted to Italy before returning to the UK in preparation for D-Day, although it was not used during the Normandy invasions.

In September 1944 Private Barnett jumped into Arnhem as part of Operation Market Garden. During the withdrawal, Private Barnett, amongst others, was helped by Dutch civilians and hidden in a cellar, before escaping across the Rhine in Operation Pegasus 1.

Private Barnett transferred to the South Wales Borderers in July 1946, and was posted to the Reserves in 1948. In 1950 he rejoined, serving in Korea and Japan before his demobilisation in 1953.

After demobilisation, Trevor Barnett worked at Markham Collery No 2, and kept in contact with his Dutch friends, attending reunions in Arnhem.

Trevor Barnett died in March 2014, aged 92. He left four sons, three daughters, 21 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and five great great-grandchildren.