Private Walter J Catchpole

Walter Catchpole enlisted into the Green Howards in 1943 and volunteered for duties with airborne forces later that year. He lied about his age so that he could join up and ‘do his bit’.

He attended course 89 which ran at the Parachute Training School, RAF Ringway from 28 October to 9 November 1943. There were 281 trainees on this course but over 10% failed to qualify either because of injury or refusals. One trainee suffered serious multiple injuries as a result of parachute failure.

Walter successfully completed the eight descents required to qualify and the course instructors noted that he was “consistently good and reliable”. On completion of the course he was posted to 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion.

Walter parachuted into Normandy for the mainland invasion of Europe in June 1944.

The 12th Battalion captured Ranville despite its scattered drop on D-Day 6th June 1944 and held it against repeated German counter-attacks as well as relieving the glider borne elements at Pegasus Bridge. It fought around Breville and formed part of the break-out to the Seine with the 6th Airborne Division in August, after which it was returned to England.

It is believed that Walter was taken prisoner during the Normandy campaign.

Walter was a long standing member of the Teesside Branch of the PRA.

He passed away peacefully at James Cook Hospital, Middlesborough, on 6 February 2011.