David John England

Private David John England - 10^th Battalion, Parachute Regiment

Early Life

David John England

David John England was born on 7^th July 1925, the son of Mr. David J. and Mrs. Mary England of 3 Grenfell Park Road, Swansea. He grew up in Swansea, where his family was recorded on the 1939 Register, a census-style document taken at the outbreak of the Second World War to support the introduction of rationing and national service. The record lists the England family living at No. 3 Grenfell Park Road, with David noted as a student.

1939 Register

Parachute Regiment

In the early years of the war, David enlisted in the General Service Corps before volunteering for service with the newly formed Parachute Regiment.

Military Service

David undertook his parachute training between 3^rd–14^th April 1944 at RAF Ringway, Cheshire, near Manchester.

RAF Ringway, Cheshire, near Manchester

RAF Ringway was the wartime base of the No. 1 Parachute Training School RAF and the birthplace of British military parachuting. Around 60,000 men passed through its demanding courses between 1940 and 1946. Training was hazardous, involving multiple jumps from balloons and aircraft, often under combat-like conditions. The airfield was also a centre of innovation, developing parachute drops for equipment and vehicles, refining military glider operations, and training members of the Special Operations Executive (SOE).

Completion of the course was marked by the award of the coveted Parachute Wings, a symbol of endurance and courage. Having earned his wings, David was posted to the 10^th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, part of the 4^th Parachute Brigade.

The 10^th Battalion at Arnhem

10^th Battalion

During Operation Market Garden, the 10^th Battalion was deployed as part of the 1st Airborne Division. On 18^th September 1944, the battalion landed by parachute west of Arnhem. Their objective was to secure the high ground at Koepel, north of the city, to support the 156^th Parachute Battalion.

The next day, 19^th September 1944, they came under heavy attack near the Rotterdam–Arnhem railway line from the entrenched 9th SS Panzer Division. Casualties were severe and attempts to withdraw towards Oosterbeek revealed that German forces had already occupied their fallback positions. Cut off from communications, the battalion attempted to regroup under constant tank and mortar fire.

Major Lionel Queripel

At Wolfheze, the battalion fought desperately to capture a railway crossing. The rearguard action, led by Major Lionel Queripel, enabled many to escape, but he was killed in the fighting and later awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously. The remnants of the battalion later reached Landing Zone L, where they came under fire from both German forces and, mistakenly, from the newly arrived 1^st Polish Parachute Brigade. By nightfall, the battalion was virtually destroyed as a fighting unit, with only fragments surviving to regroup at Oosterbeek.

Death

Wolfheze 

It was during this desperate fighting at Wolfheze on 19^th September 1944 that Private David John England was killed in action at just 19 years of age.

Herald of Wales

Herald of Wales

News of his fate reached home in stages. The Herald of Wales first reported on 21^st October 1944 that he was “missing after operations in Holland.” Weeks later, on 11^th November 1944, the paper confirmed the family’s worst fears:

“Mr. and Mrs. England, of 3 Grenfell Park Road, Swansea, have now received official notification of the death of their son, Private David John England, of the Parachute Regiment, who was previously reported missing.”

Burial

David J England
Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery

David is buried in the Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, alongside many of his comrades from the 10^th Battalion and others who fell during Operation Market Garden.

Legacy

In 2025, we mark the 81^st anniversary of the death of Private David John England. He is remembered for his courage and sacrifice during one of the most intense battles of the Second World War. His story reflects both the determination and the heavy losses endured by the 10^th Battalion, Parachute Regiment at Arnhem. His name and the sacrifice of his comrades' lives on among those commemorated for their service and ultimate sacrifice in the cause of freedom.