Private Albert Willingham

Albert Willingham was the son of George and Rose Willingham, of Drayton, Hampshire. He enlisted in the Dorsetshire Regiment, and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Willingham successfully completed his parachute training at RAF Kabrit, Egypt, and was posted to HQ Company, 10th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

Pte Willingham was killed in action on 21 September 1944, aged 29, whilst shielding Dutch civilians and 2 wounded officers, including Lt Col Smyth, in a cellar from German grenades. He was given a field burial behind the bakers shop in Utrecht Street, Oosterbeek, and was re-interred to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery on 23 October 1945.