Lance Corporal James Pilson

James Pilson was born and lived in Bootle. He enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps, and volunteered for airborne forces.

Lance Corporal Pilson successfully completed Air Despatcher training and was posted to 223 Air Despatch Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem).

L/Cpl Pilson was killed in action on 21 September 1944, aged 29, when Dakota KG-579, base Down Ampney, was shot down by German fighters, and crashed on Volkel airfield. James and others bailed out but were killed in the air by the German aircraft and were given a field burial opposite the General de Bons barracks at Grave. He was re-interred to Uden War Cemetery on 29 May 1946.

If you are part of L/Cpl Pilson’s family and would like to complete this biography, you can apply to the Curator to do so. To do this you will need to become a member of ParaData and select the 'friend or family member' option on the registration form.

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member please visit our registration page.

Members of ParaData can submit their material by clicking on the 'Add content to this article' button on the right.