Can You Help: E & F Squadron Glider-Pilot Regiment personal accounts wanted

I am dong research for what I do hope will become a small publication about a part of the role of No.2 Wing HQ and E and F Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment during the battle for the Perimeter at Oosterbeek.
I have been able to contact some of the Glider Pilots in the past years and also contacted Philip Reinders and Luuk Buist who both gave all their assistance already.
For now I have accounts of the following men (some small – some more detailed)

E-Squadron
Major Jackson
Tomblin
Lt. Johnston
Grant
Ennis
Dance
Andrews

F- Squadron
Holcroft
Lewis
Gibson (Nine Days)
Gammon
Weeden
Wedgburry
Williams
Lt Stephens

If people here have any other story’s of Glider Pilots of E or F Squadron – how small it may look like to you – and that contains references to the battle between 19 and 26 September at Oosterbeek and who also want to help in this project is invated to contact me by PM.

Peter Vrolijk

 

Peter

I would suggest that you contact the Museum of Army Flying at Middle Wallop. They have boxes of GPR veterans accounts in their Archives and some extremely knowlegeable staff including one who flew the Staffords second lift in on the 18th.

John

 

Thanks John. I have contaced them ssome time ago. At that time no respond , but will try it once again. Thanks or the suggestion.

Peter

 

Peter, PM sent........

 

Hi Peter,

Its been some time, anyway you can also write to David Brook and get this added to The Eagle...

David Brook
Birds Hill
Gt. Bealings, Woodbridge.
Suffolk
IP13 6NR..

Tom

 

Thanks Tom, good idea. I shall contact David and will ask him if he can help.

Peter

 

PM sent

 

Back dated issues of The Eagle hold a wealth of information about the Glider Pilot Regiment.

David Brook, editor of The Eagle, is a Veteran of the GPR - I feel sure he will be able to help you.

Good luck Commando
Lindsay

 

My father Sgt Paddy Senier was a Glider Pilot in E Squadron, His CO was Major Jackson. He normally few as 2nd pilot to Staff sergeant A.Andrews who you have listed. He was in the battle in Arnhem and was finally dug-in in the grounds of the Hartenstein Hotel until evacuating and escaping by swimming the river. He only told me little bits but I'll have a look to see if he has written anything down.

Good luck!

 

Thanks TomS... I have your fathers account , given by him many years ago, and I can say it will play a major roll in my publication to explane what happened to those of E-Squadron. Its very detailed and, although he sometimes mixed up time (who can blame him for that in the chaos), but what he wrote is 100% correct. I can pin-point him very clear where he was during those days almost spot on. Can you help me with a photo of him ? Please contact me by PM if you can help. Bytheway: if you ever come over and want to know where he fought then let me know and we can make a battle-field tour !!

Peter

 

Thanks TomS... I have your fathers account , given by him many years ago, and I can say it will play a major roll in my publication to explane what happened to those of E-Squadron. Its very detailed and, although he sometimes mixed up time (who can blame him for that in the chaos), but what he wrote is 100% correct. I can pin-point him very clear where he was during those days almost spot on. Can you help me with a photo of him ? Please contact me by PM if you can help. Bytheway: if you ever come over and want to know where he fought then let me know and we can make a battle-field tour !!

Peter

I'll find a photo and fwd. It will take a little time though. Have also found some account he has written and will send that also, as it may have more detail.
Many thanks for your offer!

TomS

 

Thanks Tom. Any extra info will be most welcome.
You are more then welcome!

 

Thanks TomS... I have your fathers account , given by him many years ago, and I can say it will play a major roll in my publication to explane what happened to those of E-Squadron. Its very detailed and, although he sometimes mixed up time (who can blame him for that in the chaos), but what he wrote is 100% correct. I can pin-point him very clear where he was during those days almost spot on. Can you help me with a photo of him ? Please contact me by PM if you can help. Bytheway: if you ever come over and want to know where he fought then let me know and we can make a battle-field tour !!

Peter

Peter, Photo (wartime 7/06/1944) Paddy is second from left.
I think 2005 photo was taken in Arnhem.

I'll send some of his written account of events during the battle soon.

Thanks for your offer!

TomS

 

Hi Tom,

1st Photo of the right is one Harry Goldthorpe holding his halmet in his hand... That photo comes from news paper pm Paul Pariso he knows Harry very well...

Cheers
Tom

 

I am dong research for what I do hope will become a small publication about a part of the role of No.2 Wing HQ and E and F Squadron, The Glider Pilot Regiment during the battle for the Perimeter at Oosterbeek.
I have been able to contact some of the Glider Pilots in the past years and also contacted Philip Reinders and Luuk Buist who both gave all their assistance already.
For now I have accounts of the following men (some small – some more detailed)

E-Squadron
Major Jackson
Tomblin
Lt. Johnston
Grant
Ennis
Dance
Andrews

F- Squadron
Holcroft
Lewis
Gibson (Nine Days)
Gammon
Weeden
Wedgburry
Williams
Lt Stephens

If people here have any other story’s of Glider Pilots of E or F Squadron – how small it may look like to you – and that contains references to the battle between 19 and 26 September at Oosterbeek and who also want to help in this project is invated to contact me by PM.

Peter Vrolijk
Hello Peter,
This is a bit of a coincidence as I am currently researching the activities of
"Sgt Arthur Stanley Brown" F squadron 2 wing GPR. Arthur flew as second pilot horsa chalk mark 259 along with S/sgt Grimshaw as No one. He landed at Wolfheze as part of the first lift on the 17th.
I believe his load was a jeep vickers machine gun and six men from the Border regt but this not confirmed as yet.
His short story from a newspaper cutting of October 1944 tells that after landing and unloading his glider he was ordered to dig in along side the LZ. He was there for two days then ordered to fall back and hold a group of Houses.
I have in my possession Arthur's Arnhem possessions,including his beret, wings, airborne patch,log books,photographs and documents.
If can be of further help please make contact with me, although I feel you could be more help to me. Incidentally, Arthur was mentioned in dispatches, probably in the defence of the Oosterbeek perimeter.
Bernard.

 

Peter, Photo (wartime 7/06/1944) Paddy is second from left.
I think 2005 photo was taken in Arnhem.

I'll send some of his written account of events during the battle soon.

Thanks for your offer!

TomS

Hi Tom,

As TomTas says, the guy on the right holding the helmet is Larry Goldthorpe. Larry lives close to me and is a good friend. I have been searching for a better copy of the this photo for years so I could get it framed and give to Larry. Sadly all I could come up with was a very poor copy from an issue of "The Eagle".
Would it be OK if I use a copy of the picture you posted to give to Larry?

I have used the copy I have to put names to some of the fellas.

All the best..............

 

found some in The Eagle, will scan and send it to you this weekend

 

PM send to Bernard,

Philip can you send me also the scan, thanks in advance mate

 

sended

 

Dear Peter
I just came across this thread about your project while looking into my stepfather's time at Arnhem. He is Maurice Hibbert, was in E squadron and flew as second pilot to Lt Peter Brazier, who was killed there. Although they were good friends I dont think he knew that Peter Brazier was listed in the London Gazette in 1945 for MID. I was hoping to find out about the reason for the MID, maybe from veterans' accounts. If you think I could help you with your project just drop me line.

Richard