Private Leslie R Maskell

Leslie Robert Maskell was born and lived in East London, he enlisted in the General Service Corps and volunteered for airborne forces.

Private Maskell successfully completed parachute training at RAF Ringway on course number 79 from 23 August to 2 September 1943, he was posted to B Company, 8th Battalion the Parachute Regiment, and took part in Operation Overlord (‘D’ Day landings), Ardennes, (Battle of the Bulge) and Operation Varsity (Rhine Crossing).

Pte Maskell was killed in action on 24 March 1945, aged 20, whilst taking part in the daylight parachute drop into Germany as part of the Rhine Crossing during operation Varsity and was given a field burial near Merr, Germany and was re-interred to Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany, on 18 March 1947.

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