Joe McAllister
NAME: Joe Henry McAllister
RANK: Private
NUMBER: 14302764
DOB: 17/02/1924
Joe was called up in 1942 aged 18 and a half. Starting with the Royal Artillery, Joe was in the Army Air Corps by the tender age of 19. At 19and half yrs old, Joe volunteered for Parachute regiment in the May of 1943 for the excitement and an extra 2 shillings a day!!
Trained at Ringway, Manchester where he completed 8 x parachute drops – 2 from the balloon (zeppelin) and 6 from a hole in the floor of a Whitley Bomber. Joe finished training to be posted to 3rd Battalion, volunteering to be stick number 13 when jumping out of the Dakota.
Once training had finished, Joe was immediately posted to Algiers.
Based in Lincolnshire in Jan 1944 as part of 3rd Battalion 1st Airborne Div, Joe completed 6 x more parachute drops and was in training for ‘Operation Overlord’. On 6th June he and his comrades were told that the 6th Airborne Division had already completed the operation and Joe was badly disappointed that they had ‘missed out’ on the action.
Briefed for Operation Market Garden in Spalding, Lincolnshire - Part of the first lift in, Joe left 11am and was dropped on the Sunday 17th September 1944 at 14.00hrs.
Joe recalls how breath-taking and amazing the sight was and struggled to find the words to describe it. He remembers landing and saying to another soldier ‘Well that was a piece of cake’.
“I got to within half a mile. Our route was to go down the middle but instead we went to the railway bridge because there was so much street fighting encountered. We got to the centre and became trapped in a cul-de-sac. 100 men fighting for a full day.”
Joe and 37 comrades managed to get out of the cul de sac and made their way to the pavilion on the Rhine. Joe was not sure what happened to all and presumes some also escaped. RSM JC Lord and Colonel Fitch were also in this party.
Tues 0430hrs - Joe and others advanced along the Rhine. They were mortared and received heavy machine gun fire – which forced them back. On Tuesday he was wounded in both legs (shrapnel) and couldn’t move, left on the Rhine Bank while the other lads retreated. 6hrs later, Panzer tanks and 2 x German crew jumped out and took him prisoner. At this point Joe really thought his days had ended! But luckily enough those German soldiers took him to hospital where he slowly recovered from his injuries.
It has been an honour to have known Joe personally and I am sure so many of us have been humbled by him as a soldier, a husband and our brother. Rest in Peace Joe “ We will remember You”
As I receive further details of funeral arrangement I will pass on to members
Regards
Brian Welsh
Branch Secretary
Liverpool PRA
WOII Sid (Tug) Wilson
Ladies and Gents
It is my sad duty to inform you of the passing of Sid (Tug )Wilson.
Sid joined 4 para in 1960’s the and served in the rifle company before moving across to support company and the mortar platoon where he rose to the rank of WOII. He was also Senior APJI in A Coy for a number of years
Sid served for over 25 years with A Coy (Mortar Platoon) before finishing his career as WOII with the North West Training Team at Fulwood Barracks.
He served in any overseas locations including USA, Ghana, Germany, Denmark, France and Jamaica and parachuted with 4 Para, A Coy on the infamous Bold Guard jump.
When he finished his military career, Sid stepped into the role of branch secretary for Liverpool PRA giving his time selflessly and supporting the branch to grow into the position we find ourselves today.
Sid also had the honour of being the first Parachute Regiment Reserve soldier to be accepted into the Chelsea pensioners where he represented the Regiment with dignity and making many new friends along the way.
Tonight we should raise a glass to Sid, and remember him as a prime example of a good man who served the Regiment with pride and honour. Our sympathies go out to his family and friends.
I will keep you updated with funeral details as they arrive from RHC
Goodnight and God Bless Tug.
Best Regards
Brian
Brian Welsh
Branch Secretary
Liverpool PRA
Ladies and Gents
Please accept the following information regarding the funeral of George Rawsthorne:
Date: Monday 15th November
Location: 45 St Pauls Church, 221 Warrington Road, Penketh, WA5 2RX
Time: 10.00
Some finer details for the rest of the day are to be confirmed and I will let you know once I get the information.
Please accept the following information regarding the funeral of Tommy Nevin:
Date: Monday 22nd November
Location: Thornton Crematorium, Lydiate Ln, Thornton, Liverpool L23 1TP
Time: 12.45
Then back to Picolas in Litherland.
Families of both George and Tommy have welcomed as many serving or veterans of the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces to the funerals.
Brian Welsh
Branch Secretary
Liverpool PRA
Mob: 07871901206
E-mail: brianwelsh4@icloud.com
DEATH OF GEORGE RAWSTHORNE - WWII VETERAN PARACHUTE REGIMENT
It is my sad duty to inform you of the death of George Rawsthorne, who slipped away peacefully this morning. George served in India during WWII and was an extremely loved and respected member of Liverpool Parachute Regimental Association.
Funeral details to follow
UTRINQUE PARATUS
Rest in Eternal Peace George
