Jack Thwaites was born in Halifax on 14 March 1923.
He enlisted into The Leicestershire Regiment prior to 1942, probably 1939-40.
He volunteered for Airborne Forces in 1942 and was sent to Hardwick Hall for a selection course on 23 November 1942. Upon completion he was posted to RAF Ringway, near Manchester, on Parachute Course 40, which began on 1 December and finished on 11 December 1942, after the completion of 7 parachute descents.
He was then posted to the 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion, which was part of the 2nd Parachute Brigade and sailed for North Africa in April-May 1943.
He took part in the invasion of Southern Italy in September 1943 and then stayed in that theatre of operations when the rest of the 1st Airborne Division returned to the UK in December 1943.
Along with the rest of the 2nd (Independent) Parachute Brigade he took part in ‘Operation Dragoon’, the invasion of Southern France in August 1944.
Later, he became involved in operations with the battalion in Greece, October 1944 to January 1945.
He was discharged from Regular Army Service on 22 October 1945.
Courtesy of Bob Hilton
Read More
Latest Comments
died 14/3/1977
He had 12 children
Add Comment
In order to add comments you must be registered with ParaData.
If you are currently a ParaData member please login.
If you are not currently a ParaData member but wish to get involved please register.