Corporal William H Waterer

William Henry Waterer was born on the 19 February 1919 and enlisted into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1939.

By 1944 he was a Corporal serving in ‘E’ Section, 1st Airborne Division Signals, attached to the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, RA. In this capacity he took part in Operation ‘Market-Garden’, in the Oosterbeek area in September 1944.

For his actions at what was later called the ‘Battle of Arnhem’, he was recommended for the Military Medal, his Citation read:

‘Cpl. Waterer was wireless operator at RHQ. at Oosterbeek. He manned his set with complete calm and ability throughout the operation, although HQ. was being shelled by a Tiger Tank at 50 x range. On the morning 26 Sept during the withdrawal Cpl. Waterer found himself on the North bank of the Rhine in daylight after the last boat had gone. He plunged into the river under heavy fire carrying his complete arms and equipment. On his way across he met a glider pilot who had been wounded and was in difficulties. He immediately went to the assistance of this man and taking hold of him helped him across the river, and under cover on the far bank. He showed a high standard of gallantry and was entirely responsible for saving the life of this glider pilot’.

The Citation was written by Major. JEF Linton, the then Acting Commander of the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, RA on the 2 October 1944, and was endorsed by Maj-Gen. RE Urquhart, but it was not forwarded and no award was made.

William Henry Waterer died in January 1990 in Chelmsford.