Born in August 1922, Harold Schilling was of German Jewish descent and born in Munich. He was educated at Gordonstoun and enlisted straight from school into The Pioneer Corps.

Harold was amongst a draft of linguists recruited to 21st Independent Parachute Company by John Lander in 1943. In common with the other refugee recruits, Harold took on a new surname (Bruce) to avoid identification as a Jew in the event of capture.

He qualified as military parachutist on Course 61B/62 which ran at RAF Ringway from 26 April to 4 May 1943. His jump instructor noted this about his performance on the course:

"Average, worked well"

After successfully completing parachute jump instruction Harold went onto serve with the 21st Ind Para Coy in North Africa, Italy, Arnhem and Norway.

With No 1 Platoon in Arnhem, Harold sustained a number of shrapnel wounds in the thigh which were tended by the platoon's medic. A shilling piece he was carrying at the time, and which was badly buckled by the shrapnel, was on display at the Hartenstein Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek, 2022. For their 'Fled To Fight' exhibition.

Harold was later able to withdraw over the river with his platoon, along with the other remnants of 1st Airborne Division at the end of the battle.

He left the Company shortly before it deployed to Palestine, and was promoted to Corporal while serving  with a War Crimes Investigation Unit.

After the war Harold ran an antiques business with his wife. 

Further Reading:

'Leading the Way to Arnhem' by Peter Gijbels and David Truesdale Robert Sigmond Publishing 2008.