The Glider Pilot Regiment 1942-1945
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The Glider Pilot Regiment 1942-1945 |
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This page will carry news of Association-linked events.
October 2009
Annual Reunion
Over the weekend of 23-25 October, members and guests gathered at the Cumberland Hotel, in Bournemouth, for our annual reunion. The dinner on the Saturday evening included speeches from our Patron, General Sir John Learmont KCB OBE, President, Brigadier Maurice Sutcliffe OBE, and Brigadier David Shortt, Director Army Aviation. There was also a Birthday cake, and rendition of 'Happy Birthday to you' for 91-years young Arthur Shackleton, who with his wife Margaret had organised the reunion. Whereas most Association members live in the UK, two travelled from their homes in South Korea and Canada to meet up with friends.
September 2009
Airborne Forces in the Midlands
Service of Commemoration
On Sunday, September 20, St Andrew's
Church, Shifnal, Shropshire, was the venue for this annual service. Church members,
veterans, Association members, members of the Royal British Legion, Shropshire
Army Cadets and Air Training Corps Cadets came together for a time of reflection,
reminiscence and remembrance. The service was led by the Midlands Branch
Chairman, Rev Preb Chris Thorpe, and the Branch Secretary, Mr Steve Wright,
who is a Methodist Lay Preacher. In place of the sermon, several members of
the congregation were interviewed about their wartime work on the Horsa glider.
Their chosen hymns were then sung. It is planned to hold the service on the
same Sunday next year.
65th Anniversary of Operation Market
On Saturday, September 19, Association members, Army Air Corps members and Elshout residents came together at the war memorial in the Kerkstraat to remember the 47 glider pilots who were hidden from the Germans. Enjoy the short video of the event
Double Hills Memorial Service
Sunday September 6 marked the 30th Anniversary of this service which commemorates and remembers the first victims of Operation Market.At 10.25am, on September 17th 1945, Short Stirling, No.
LK 148, of 299 Squadron, took off from RAF Keevil towing Horsa RJ113,
which carried twenty-one Royal Engineers. At approximately 11.05
am, over the village of Farrington Gurney, an explosion blew the tail
off the glider, which crashed into the fields called Double Hills, killing all on board. No single reason has been found for the explosion.
Thirty years ago, a memorial overlooking the crash site was unveiled at
a Service of Remembrance. A service has taken place every year since
then. Last year, two statues of a GP and RE were added.
There was a huge turnout by locals, veterans, cadets and regular RE and
AAC. Around thirty wreaths were laid.