75th Commemorations Arnhem/Oosterbeek

151/156 Parachute Battalion Association Commemorative Walk | 19/09/2019

Thanks to Ian & Roy Henderson and family for organising and conducting the walk and to all the other families and supporters of the 151/156 Parachute Battalion Association for taking part. It was great to see such a great turn out and walk in the footsteps of our forefathers 75 years to the day where the 156Bn fought together in the Johannahoeve woods | Photography by Will Stark

Wreath laying at The Hollow | 20/09/2019

Around 20 people gathered in the morning for the laying of the wreath from the 151/156 Parachute Battalion Assosication at The Hollow marker post. I (Will Stark) had the honour of laying the wreath here this year in honour of all who fought around this area 75 years ago. A little special mention for Cpl Roland James (Nocker) West, 5Pl, A Coy, KIA in the Bilderberg Woods on the 20th Sep 1944. Believed to be Unknown Soldier at grave 19-J-3 in Jonkerbos War Cemetery , Nijmegen | Photography by Will Stark

The Arnhem 1944 Fellowship Battlefield Tour | 20/09/2019

The Fellowship walk this year was located in and around northern Oosterbeek at the top of the 1944 perimeter. The stands were mostly focussed on the actions of the 7th King’s Own Scottish Borderers apart from Bob Hilton’s talk on Capt DT Kavanagh of the 250 (Airborne) Light Composite Company. Thanks to all the guides, Bob Hilton, Gary James, Dave Locke, Niall Cherry & Ruud Slangen for excellent and informative talks. Thanks also to Robert Sigmond for producing an excellent guide. | Photography by Will Stark

Ginkel Heath | 21/09/2019 

We were greeted by a sunny and cloudless day on Saturday for the service and parachute drops at Ginkel Heath. A little bit busier than normal (to say the least) and with Royalty in attendance.   | Photography by Will Stark

75th Commemoration Service | 22/09/2019 

Another cracking day greeted us for the Sunday service at The Arnhem & Oosterbeek War Cemetery. Again, like Ginkel Heath, the cemetery was rather busier than usual and the service a little longer than usual. The flower children provided the highlight once again, creating a sea of colour over the graves. Another nice moment was Alastair Hill (Nephew of Jimmy Sneddon, 156bn KIA 20th Sep 1944) presenting the flower children with his book about Jimmy Sneddon | Photography by Will Stark

Ede Mausoleum Service | 22/09/2019 

Our last function of the 75th Commemorations was the wreath laying at the Ede Mausoleum in memory of the Dutch who hid hundreds of Airborne and helped with their escape. In attendance we had Airborne veterans John Jeffries & Sam Lockett and the last survivor of the Dutch Resistance. | Photography by Will Stark