Plaque installed in Donington to honour paratroopers who fought in Battle of Arnhem

A plaque has been installed to honour the men who fought to liberate Europe from the Nazis.

Donington hosted solders from The 1st Parachute Squadron Royal Engineers from December 1943 in the run-up to the Battle of Arnhem.

Now a plaque has been installed on the former Red Cow in Market Place by Donington Parish Council to help remember the village’s connection to this important Second World War operation.

Coun Phil Lovell said that 1 Para Sqn RE played a role in Operation Market, which was the airborne part of Operation Market Garden.

He said: “1 Para Sqn RE designated task was to fly and parachute into Holland at Oosterbeek a suburb near Arnhem under the command of Major DC Murray MC. Air lifted on the first lift in nine Dakotas from RAF Barkston Heath this deployment began the “Battle of Arnhem”

“After the war some men returned and married local girls. For several years a reunion was held at The Red Cow until it closed as a public house. Last man standing was John Humphreys who passed away February 2024 aged 102 yrs.

“It seemed appropriate that the plaque donated by the parish council and with kind permission of the current owner of the building should be put in place.

“Tom Gilks formerly of 9 Squadron Para Royal Engineers who was instrumental in getting the plaque.”