Private William T Giddings

William Thomas Giddings was born in London and resided in Kent prior to service in the Army during World War II.

According to his service record, he served with The Queen's Regiment, in Persia / Iraq from 25 August 1942 to 28 March 1943. He volunteered for airborne forces while serving in the Middle East, where he qualified as a military parachutist, and was posted to the 11th Parachute Battalion. In November 1943 he successfully completed his parachute jump training at Kabrit on Course 78. This course ran between 12 and 23 November 1943. 

Pte Giddings took part in Operation Market Garden, as part of the divisional assault to capture the Rhine Crossings at Arnhem. His battalion, which formed part of the 4th Parachute Brigade, made an opposed jump under enemy fire on the second day of the operation on to Ginkel Heath, which was partly in German hands.

He was taken prisoner during the battle on the day of his drop, 18 September. It is believed he was held at Stalag 13B prior to transfer in December 1944 to Stalag 4B Muhlberg in Eastern Germany situated between Leipzig and Berlin. This was a large camp holding up to 16,000 men and by the end of war conditions were reported to be harsh with a lack of bunks, bedding, clothing and food.  His POW number was 91572.

Pte Giddings died from an Allied aerial bombardment on 17 February 1945, aged 21 years, and is now buried at the Berlin 1939-45 Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery.

Profile picture likely to be prior to his mobilisation to North Africa in August 1942.