Jack was a
Founder Member of the Association. He had a long and very active
service as a parachutist. In 1941 he joined the newly formed 3rd
Battalion, which completed the 1st Parachute Brigade.
This
Battalion was the first British Airborne unit to go into action in
Tunisis. Due to a shortage of aircraft, only two Companies could
be taken. They were flown direct from UK to Gibraltar, partly over
enemy territory. Two aircraft failed to arrive and Jack was on one
which crashed into the sea near Gibralter. Arriving on 11th
September, 1942, at an airfield near Algiers, they took off the
following morning to seize Bone airfield. This small force and
hastily organised operation was completely successful and the
airfield taken and held.
The other
Battalions carried out similar daring small scale operations,
before the whole Brigade was used for three long months as ground
troops, in which role they suffered heavy casualties.
Jack was
there for the attack on the Primasole Bridge in Sicily, (July
1943), and then the invasion of Italy in September.
The Brigade
was then withdrawn to England from where, after many false starts,
the Division finally went to Arnhem. Here Jack was captured and
became a POW, until released by advancing Allied Forces in April
1945.
During this
long period of very active service, Jack was wounded three times.
He also had a narrow escape when he collided in mid-air with
another parachutist. Their parachutes became entangled but they
both reached the ground safely.
It was from
men such as this that the Association came into being, to keep
alive the 'Airborne Tradition'.
Sadly Jack
is now deceased.
R.I.P.
