Donington to host 80th anniversary Arnhem Service to commemorate the 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers

A village is preparing to host its 80th anniversary Arnhem Service.

A parade and service will be held in Donington on Sunday, September 29 to commemorate the 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers.

they were billeted in Donington for nine months’ intensive training from December 1943 before departing from RAF Barkston Heath for the Battle of Arnhem and Operation Market Garden, made famous by the film A Bridge Too Far.

Thousands of soldiers of the Parachute Regiment were billeted in the South Holland area and after spending the rest of war as prisoners some returned to the area to marry and live in surrounding villages.

Eric Booth, Arthur Hendy, John Clark, David Urquhart and Gordon Christie were just a few of the men to return to the local area .

Everyone is very welcome to attend the event and, in the church hall, there will be a display of lots more old photos, military equipment, information on the men and refreshments will be served.

The parade will sets off from the Market Place at 10.30am, led by the standard bearer and piper to St Mary & The Holy Rood Church for the 11am service.

A piper will play a lament, in remembrance the names of the fallen will be read out and a bugler will play the Last Post.

After the service the congregation move outside for the laying of wreaths at the memorial beneath the Arnhem Oak Tree in the churchyard.