Could anyone kindly help with more information about my great-uncle - Captain Charles Arthur Winstanley WOODBURN , service no. 249233 KIA 24 March 1945. All I have is the CWMC record ref. REICHSWALD FOREST WAR CEMETERY. Can you tell me where the bn. was on that day and were there other casualties? Did these casualties receive any medals and are these records or indexes searchable online? I have attached a photograph, can anyone identify the shoulder insignia? All help will be most welcome.
Woody 24th March 1945 was the first day of Op Varsity - the airborne part of Op Plunder - the crossing of the Rhine. 7 Para took part in this operation part of 5th Airborne Brigade/6th Airborne Division. The 6th Airborne Division was tasked to seize the high ground of the Diersfort Wood near Hamminkeln, overlooking part of the Rhine to be crossed by the British 21st Army Group. Hamminkeln - Google Maps Other casualties - go to the CWGC site,find your great-uncles record and then click on the link to the cemetery - once there, look at "Cemetery Reports" at the bottom of the page. Everyone buried in the cemetery will be listed so you should find others from the same unit. Hope this gives you a starting point for your research. Regards Richie
Richie B, Thank you for getting me started, I see there's plenty of on-line reading. Do you recommend reading The Last Drop by Stephen L Wright or is there something more specific abt the 7 Para? Any help about medals please - I would really like to know of any awards. Thanks fm Woody
Woody Can't comment on the book - I haven't read it. Medals - these are listed on the London Gazette - the problem is you need to know the names. London Gazette Home Page I suppose you could start with any names on the CWGC site. For those who made it, I would suggest googling - the Op Name, unit and any other search terms. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to mention other Forums here but there some which specialise in medal collecting - these could be worth joining and searching. This is quite interesting I think Special Forces - Roll Of Honour I'll do some more digging later - off to work now Regards Richie look - http://www.ww2f.com/information-requests/26170-7th-bn-parachute-regiment-c.html
