New member here seeking some simple'ish advice, hopefully! Ok, I have always looked up to my Grandfather as a war hero, he served in the Parachute Regiment in WW2, he was one of the veterans, like many others that didn't want to talk about his experiences in the war, he just found it all too horrific, however, I remember being told as a child how he had bullet wounds plus he had a handful of medals that were awarded during the war. All I ever knew was that he was in the Parachute Regiment. Over the years I have always had an interest in the two World Wars and always tend to watch the TV programmes about them, but not a big book reader due to time etc, but the programmes, drama series, war films etc I try to watch whatever I can, mainly due to me seeing my Grandfather as a war hero, also as I always find them poignant and feel that by trying to learn about it all it feels like I am paying some sort of respect to everyone involved in securing the world we live in today. I have always wanted to visit the Normandy beaches and battlefields as I always believed he was involved in the D-Day landings however time etc has always been against me with a young family etc. Anyway, my wife and I decided to look into having a long weekend next year and I felt it worth trying to find out about my Grandfather so I could try and visit some of the places he fought the war to bring things to life for me. I don't know his army number, so I spoke to my Mum about it today briefly and she said that she did know he was a Sargent in the Parchutes and he fought at Arnhem, so when I came home I had a look on the net and am I right in thinking that could possibly make him part of the 1st Airborne? Were the only division that were dropped in or around Arnhem? If what I have read about this evening involved him then I can truly believe why he didn't want to talk about it. Is there anyway I can confirm that he was involved in that drop, and if he was, I would like to visit Arnhem and the surrounding area to see where he would of been dropped, visit the scene of it all etc, take in a couple of museums, visit the cemetery etc as well. Also, are there any other areas that could be interesting, any specific German installations, camps etc, is it anywhere close to any WW1 places of interest, as it might be nice to combine a few different places over a few days? Is there anyone on here that can help with confirming what he would of been involved in or confirm if he was there etc? I can provide his name, town of birth etc etc So any help or assistance would be appreciated. Many thanks in advance. James
Pay £30 and get a copy of his service records. They'll tell you where he went and who with during the war.
I did look at that, but I don't have his army number which it seems they require, plus a copy of the death certificate which I can obviously get a copy of.
James, first, welcome to WW2Talk. We have many members who are very knowledgable about 1st Airborne and Arnhem in particular. In order for them to help you will have to tell us your Grandfather's name. There is also a site called Paradata, have you looked for him on that? http://www.paradata.org.uk/
A number of people have spent some considerable time compiling nominal rolls of those that fought at Arnhem so there's certainly no harm in posting his name together with any that information that might you have about him. John
As others had said James..we can try and help but need a bit more to go on......A full name would be a good start.....
James We seem to have scared you off, whatever details you have please post them, if we can find which unit he was in, we may be able to suggest places to visit if you go to Holland. All the best Dave L
Sorry, no, not been scared off at all! Just been a busy few days. My Grandfathers name was Cyril Norman Mitchell, I have been told he was a Sargent, his home town was Torquay, Devon, I have been told he was in the Parachute Regiment and served at Arnhem, he died in April 1988 aged 68, so that would put his birth year as 1920. I know he sustained injuries, mainly two bullet wounds, not sure if these were at Arnhem, not sure where else he served etc, however, having looked at various sites on the net about Arnhem, I have presumed he served with the 1st Airborne and the injuries would probably be consistent with what happened at Arnhem, I know that he would not talk about what he was involved with in the war as he said what he had seen was so horrific he didn't want to relive it. Having read on the net about Arnhem and the paras seeming to be 'on their own' whilst awaiting to be got out and the injuries and losses sustained in the battle I presume what he said would be consistent with what happened at Arnhem. I understand there are a lot of 'assumptions' in there, but being told he he served at Arnhem I suppose was a major piece of the jigsaw puzzle and then the other bits seemed to fall into place from there? If what I have posted can bring some details on what they went through, and if it can confirm his being at Arnhem I would be over the moon, as it gives me concrete evidence to pursue my visit to follow in his footsteps. Many thanks in advance for any help. James
Hi James Thanks for posting the details. I've got a list of around 10,000 names, but I'm afraid I don't have a Cyril Mitchell amongst them. But my list isn't complete, so it doesn't mean for certain that he wan't there. Do you know if he was taken prisoner or did he manage to get out over the Rhine? A service number would really help to pin him down. Best of luck with your research. The Arnhem battle area is a fascinating place to visit. Graham
Thanks Graham I really don't know what happened with him, weather a POW or got out, really not sure, I will try and get some more details and see what that brings forward, I know that the info I am getting from family is patchy at best, so its really a case of trying to pin it all down and get some definitive info really. Thanks for looking, much appreciate it. James
James - I regret to advise there is no evidence of anyone by the name of Cyril Norman Mitchell attending a parachute course at RAF Ringway during the Second World War....You will I suggest need to get his service records to prove what unit or units he was with. A small crumb of comfort with regard to the Arnhem connection is that he could have been parachute trained at No 4 PTS in the Middle East if a member of one of the three battalions in the 4th Para Brigade - namely 10th, 11th or 156th....So would not appear in the Ringway records..... However the group I am involved with have a lot of names for these three units but no trace....Also the RAF in the UK apparently had a downer on training at No 4 PTS and so insisted that those trained there in theory went on the course again at No 1 PTS....So he ought to be in the Ringway records but as I said nothing....Sorry.....
I have a Pte Mitchell 6399469 10th Parachute Bn course No 28 Kabrit / Ramat David 31 Mar 43 - 03 Apr 43. Looks like he was Ex Royal Sussex Regiment by the Service no. Steve
Hi Steve This Mitchell was at Arnhem with 10th Parachute Battalion in an anti tank platoon. However I believe his initial was G, so I'm afraid Cyril doesn't fit. Unless the G i have is a misprint/misread of C. Graham
Pompey, On his jump course nominal roll there is no Initial. Steve Cheers Steve, That figures. That's the problem with these 1943 administrators.... no consideration for the Arnhem fraternity 70 years down the line!
Thank you to everyone for this info that you found out, apologies for not being back on here recently, but being honest I just haven't had time to get any further. Ok, so if it looks like he may not have any records within the parachute regiments then, then what is there any way of searching that name across the board of military services? Despite my best efforts to get his papers etc, my family are still not wanting to part with any of it, its a shame really as they have followed in his footsteps in the sense that they have wanted to close the book on that chapter, where as I want to open that chapter, find out where he served, what he done and go and see things for myself. I know it all sounds strange, but, its not really! Apologies for the long delay, and many thanks.
I take it you didn't apply for a copy of his service records like I suggested in December? You would have them by now if you applied back then. Cheers Andy
James, I understand you may have issues with the Family not wanting to look into this. This is not too uncommon and l have come across this many times. Treat it slowly and with concern. Please also keep feeding us with what you know or can find out and we will try to help you. I am sure you will apply for his service record when you feel the time is right, directions as indicated by Andy. Good luck with your research. Regards, Nick KenFentonsWar.com rvin
James - very good advice from Nick there - I have interviewed many veterans in the past and you do get similar tropes occurring - for instance, many stories of WW1, (and in my own family), will have the 'he was too young to serve but ran away, lied about his age and joined up'. While this undoubtedly happened, it didn't happen to everyone and as stories accrete layer upon layer, they become the accepted version of the truth, particularly in families. I once explored one of my own relative's pasts and far from joining up at 16 or whatever, he'd been a bit of a rogue and dragged kicking and screaming into the army after ignoring several draft notices. And people tell fibs, things that seem small to them at the time, but with repetition become real and actual. So 'he was at Arnhem' might be one of those - and not even a fib, but a misapprehension, a misheard story, a mistake. After all, with the media interest in anniversaries so all pervasive, I wouldn't be surprised if there weren't quite a few people out there claiming to be what they aren't - and I can't blame them, but despite the media images, not everyone who puts on a uniform is a hero.
