Tom
was born in Manchester in 1921. At eighteen he enlisted in the Border
Regiment just before the War and was serving in that unit when it was
converted into a glider borne Battalion as part of the 1st Airborne
Division, which was being formed at that time.
The two original
glider borne Battalions, the Borders and the South Staffs were heavily
engaged in Airborne fighting throughout the War; beginning with the very
costly invasion of Sicily, when many gliders landed in the sea, then Italy
and finally Arnhem, where they were again decimated.
Tom served in each of
these operations and was reported as wounded and missing after Arnhem.
However he recovered from his wounds, but had to spend the remainder of the
War as a POW in Stalag 1VB.
He was released in
1946 having completed his seven years service. However four years later he
was found in the Army again and served with the Royal Ulster Rifles in
Korea. He was finally discharged in 1951.
