Henry John Diggory – Royal Artillery, 53 (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment

Gunner Henry John Diggory – Royal Artillery, 53 (Worcestershire Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment

Early Life

Another of Blackpill’s youngest residents to lose his life during the Second World War was Henry John Diggory, who was killed on 24^th March 1945.
Born in 1925 in Cardiff, Henry was the son of Henry William Diggory and Florence May Williams, who married in 1917.

Home and Education

Herald of Wales

A report in the Herald of Wales in April 1945 recorded that Henry enlisted in the army in 1944, and that his home was 26 Mumbles Road, Blackpill.
Before joining the forces, Henry was a draughtsman pupil at I.C.I., and had previously attended Swansea Junior Technical College.

Military Service

Gunner Henry John Diggory served with the Royal Artillery, in the 53 (The Worcestershire Yeomanry) Airlanding Light Regiment, a unit associated with airborne operations and glider-borne artillery support.

Henry John Diggory
Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
credit - findagrave

In March 1945, his regiment was engaged in the final Allied push into Germany as part of Operation Varsity, the major airborne assault across the River Rhine launched on 24^th March 1945. Equipped with 75mm Pack Howitzers and flown into battle by glider, the 53 Airlanding Light Regiment landed under heavy German fire, suffering significant casualties as they fought to bring their guns into action. Their artillery support was vital in securing the Rhine bridgehead and enabling the Allied advance. It was during this fierce fighting on 24^th March 1945 that Henry John Diggory lost his life.

Resting Place

Henry is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.