Oldest Surviving Glider Pilot

Cheers Lofty,
You might be right, I might have seen him elsewhere, but I really thought it was him going by the photo earlier in the thread Incidentally I dunno if you saw us, I was with the vintage WW2 Para Field Ambulance Display next to the 16 CSMR building. It was a most enjoyable day. I am sure it is a heck of a lot of organising but I hope they do it again sometime.
Regards
Matt

 

Hi Lofty,

Thanks wonder if he was one of the RAF that were made into GP's.. Anyway cheers mate

Cheers
Tom

 

Hi All,

Had the pleasure this weekend of meeting three Glider Pilots Harry Gibbons and Bob Rose and of course Bill Higgs and here they all are... And yes Paul they are all added to my books

Cheers
Tom

 

I am Alan Kettley's daughter and have to give you the sad news that he died peacefully in hospital on 22/12/2012 at approx 6-50pm. He was 96.

Lynne

 

Lynne
May I offer my sincerest condolences to you and your family.

Alan Kettley RIP


Lesley

 

Lynne

My condolences to you and your family. I will post a notice on our Facebook page.

RIP Sgt A E Kettley 3967285 G Sdn GPR, POW Market Garden

Steve W.

 

Lynne,

Thank you for telling me, as you know Alan was my Friend so I would also like to offer my sincerest condolences to you and your family...

Kind Regards

Thomas Buttress

Alan Kettely G Sqn Glider Pilot Arnhem 1944

 

Sgt A E Kettley RIP

 

RIP Sgt A E Kettley

Alan escaped after Arnhem and, with the assistance of the Dutch resistance, reached Allied lines on 10th October. He then went on to work with Airey Neave in IS9, helping to bring many more of his Airborne comrades to safety on Operation Pegasus and, subsequently, through the Biesbosch.

John

 

John,

Yes he did tell me that when he return to the UK, He was ordered to 1st Airborne HQ and was told to return to Holland... Alan asked how he would get there they said by Parachute and Alan said Not a chance... John that did make me laugh just think a Glider Pilot with Parachute Wings...

Tom

 

Tom

That's the problem with being posted together with two Para officers. I will always remember the evening that I spent with Alan talking about his escape and time in IS9 - he was a very modest man and consistently understated his actions.
The paperwork shows that Urquhart specifically requested a copy of the Escape and Evasion reports of Alan and Leo Heaps, with whom he had escaped. Together with Ron Adams, from 156 Para, who was also posted to IS9 after his escape, they did some great work with Airey Neave.

John

 

John,

Thats for sure...

Tom

 

Jim is 91 years of age coming up 92 and sent his sincere best wishes to all those who remember him.

Jim expressed a wish to be able to attend the GPRA Annual Reunion, and catch-up with his old comrades, but said it's a little too far to travel these days.

His spirit and outlook is still typical of a Glider Pilot ... Nothing Is Impossible!

Lindsay
Sad to see Jim's obituary in the Times today.
DOB 21.10.1919, Died 24.1.2013
RIP