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Memoirs

We know that many of you have fascinating tales to tell of your time in the regiment.

We are looking for a few, interesting, comical, or serious anecdotes giving an insight into life in the parachute regiment to start this section off.

If you have any photo's thats even better. Your memoirs can be about any aspect of your time in the regiment at all.   Please forward to the secretary at memoirs@centralscotlandpra.co.uk

Info Appeal - Kennet Valley at War Trust

I am a Trustee of the Kennet Valley at War Trust, a registered charity based in the Newbury-Hungerford area which is dedicated to the collecting of memoires, photographs and artefacts for public display. We have a fine growing collection of artefacts related to the activities of both civilian and military people during WWII in the Kennet Valley and which is on display at our museum at Littlecote House near Hungerford. The bulk of the collection is centred on the activities of the American 101st Airborne Division which was stationed throughout the Kennet valley from 1943 to 1945 and the collection of 101st related items is significant. However, we are well aware of the presence of 181 Airlanding Field Ambulance RAMC at nearby Chilton Foliat before their part in the Bruneval raid, the training of 9th Battalion at Coombe Hill in preparation for the Merville Battery operation and the presence of a Parachute Brigade at Littlecote House itself toward the end of 1945. This fairly rich history of British airborne involvement in our area is not well represented and is something we are desperately keen to redress. At present we have one Denison smock and a handful of photographs to show for the Paras presence!

I would therefore like to appeal to your members for anything that might help improve the British Para element of our display. We would welcome anything at all. A link with our area would be ideal although any items would be of interest to us. We will issue receipts for any items donated and are not permitted under our rules to lend, give away, sell or otherwise dispose of any items from the collection. It is written in our rules also that should the trust cease to exist at any time in the future all items will be returned to the families of the benefactors.

If your members would like to view our activities online we can be seen at www.kennetvalleyatwar.co.uk If you would like to contact us directly we can be reached on the details below.

Also, if you would like to visit the collection the museum is open to the general public on Wednesdays and Sundays although visitors to the Littlecote House Hotel, its restaurant and bar can see it at any time. There is a military event 'Littlecote at War' at the house on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th April 2009.

Many thanks for your assistance with this project, I do hope that you can help.

Tim Green
Trustee, The Kennet Valley at War Trust

Your memoirs

Memoirs from Frank Clark

Memoirs Tony Costello

Memoirs Charlie Brown

Send in your memoirs today!

Video

Para test week (P company) 59min Courtesy Google video. Opens in a new window

Stuart asks if you can help with this request?

I've attached a photo of some men from B Coy 15 Para doing drill rehearsals at Redford Barracks, Edinburgh in 1982 (Presentation of New Colours). Can you let your branch members see it as there are some Aberdeen men in it along with some Dundee men. This photo has never been seen before and only recently rediscovered by a friend of mine.

I was presented with my wings at Barry Buddon in 1982 following a completion jump. Photographs were taken of the presentation, and I am trying to locate the photos.

1. Can you please ask your branch if anyone has the photos ? (I know it's a long shot but if you don't ask, you don't get) 

There was also a video taken of the Battalion being presented with its New Colours at Redford Barracks in 1982. I viewed the video at the Drill Hall in St Andrews (6 Ptn) B Coy, 15 Para in 1982.

2. Can you ask your Branch members if they recall seeing it and if they know of its current whereabouts? ( I have already made enqs with RHQ, Regt Museum, 4 Para HQ, to no avail) 

Thanks in anticipation of your much appreciated assistance in the above.

Best wishes,

E-mail me at

mathewson@blueyonder.co.uk

Stuart