12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion

12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion

The 12th (Yorkshire) Parachute Battalion was formed in May 1943 from the 10th (East Riding Yeomanry) Battalion of the Green Howards and became part of the 5th Parachute Brigade with the 6th Airborne Division.

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.

The Battalion was engaged during the winter 1944-5 fighting in the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. It jumped on the Rhine Crossings during Operation VARSITY and continued with the Division advance across Germany to the Baltic.

After the war in Europe ended the 12th Battalion accompanied 5th Parachute Brigade to the Far East between 1945-6. In 1946 it returned to Palestine to rejoin the 6th Airborne Division, where the battalion was disbanded in July. The 12th reformed as a TA Parachute Battalion in 1947.

Commanding Officers:

1943-4       Lt Col RG Parker
1944           Lt Col AP Johnson
1944           Lt Col WAB Harris, MC
1944           Lt Col NC Stockwell
1944-6       Lt Col KT Darling, DSO
1946           Maj DRW Webber

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  • 'Escape!' by Eric Parker. Illustration to article detailing Pte Baine's escape.
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    'Escape!' by Eric Parker. Illustration to article detailing Pte Baine's escape.

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  • Copy of W J Thompson's last letter home before he was KIA
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    Copy of W J Thompson's last letter home before he was KIA

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  • Letter regarding 12th (Yorkshire) Battalion Battle Honours claim, 9 February 1956.
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    Letter regarding 12th (Yorkshire) Battalion Battle Honours claim, 9 February 1956.

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  • Letter regarding four proposed claims for Battle Honours for 12th Battalion, 12 March 1956.
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    Letter regarding four proposed claims for Battle Honours for 12th Battalion, 12 March 1956.

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  • Patrick Fleming in Westmorland Gazette 10 March 1945
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    Patrick Fleming in Westmorland Gazette 10 March 1945

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  • Newspaper article from The Daily Sketch reporting the death of Major Colin Bliss 1944
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    Newspaper article from The Daily Sketch reporting the death of Major Colin Bliss 1944

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  • Details

    Account of Normandy by L/Cpl Reginald George Lloyd, 12th Para Bn.

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