AIRBORNE FORCES

The Airborne Forces Garden -21st May 2025

Scroll down for “Peggy”, 3 Amigo’s, D-Day Seat, 3 Para, Glider Pilot seat and Wolverhampton Para Reg seat.

The Pegasus Bridge Memorial Flight

Meet “PEGGY” – this is our nickname for the Pegasus Bridge Memorial Flight. This memorial has been created from an original sketch by Mike Colton and brought to life by Bromley O’Hare – Artist/Blacksmith and many specialist companies in the West Midlands.

At just after midnight on D-Day the 6th June 1944 around 150 soldiers of the 2nd Battalion Ox and Bucks Regiment were air landed by Horsa Gliders. The soldiers stormed the bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal and then set about defending them from German Counter Attacks.
  • Memorial Text
  • The Pegasus Bridge Memorial Flight
  • “Operation Deadstick”
  • On D-Day 6th June 1944, siz Horsa Gliders were released by Halifax aircraft pilots of 298 and 644 Squadrons Royal Air Force.
  • Gliding down over enemy territory the crews from the Glider Pilot Regiment crash landed 5 of the Gliders very close to the bridges over the Orne River and Caen Canal. Glider No. 4 landed by a bridge over the River Dives about 10m miles away.
  • Capture of these bridges was vital to defending the D-Day landing beaches to the North and the Airborne drop zones to the East in the vacinity of Ranville.
  • The operation was planned by Major John Howard and the successful assault by soldiers from the 2nd Battalion Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry who were supported by Royal Engineers, Royal Army Medical Corps and a 7 Para liaison officer.
  • A most SECRET operation, carried out in SILENCE with SPEED, STEALTH and achieved complete SURPRISE.
  • Operational Orders
  • “Your task is to seize INTACT the bridges….
  • and hold them until relief by 7 Para….
  • you must expect a counter attack any time after one hour….
  • it is vital that the crossing places be held.”

The Airborne Forces Gardens

Brigadier James Alms OBE – D-Day Seat.

This fine seat was made in Scotland and kindly gifted to the Grove by James family
Brigadier James Hill Alms OBE.
  • Memorial Text
  • Brigadier Alms was one of the outstanding senior staff officers of WW2. He was a member of General Eisenhower’s multi-national staff. As GSO1 (Strategic Plans to the Chief of Staff to the Supreme Allied Commander he worked on Operation Overlord in preparation for the D-Day invasion.
  • He served in the Operations Section G3 Division, Supreme HQ Allied Expeditionary Force. Assigned responsibility for coordinating and supervision of all Resistance activities in France, Belgium, Holland and Scandinavia, he coordinated the organisation of SHAEF missions to Allied Governments.
  • He died, aged 37, on 26 February 1947, whilst serving as Director Military Intelligence South East Asia Land Forces, when his flight was lost between Singapore and Saigon.
This lovely seat depicts the D-Day landings into fortress Europe with soldiers disembarking from landing craft under the cover of Allied aircraft. The success of D-Day and the defeat of the enemy led to a long lasting peace in Europe and the White Dove was symbolic of this.
The Pegasus Bridge and Airborne Forces Garden viewed from the seat.

Further Information

Brigadier James Alms – Taunton Plaque

The 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment Garden.

This Garden honours young soldiers who lost their lives in the Falklands Conflict 1982 and also a Veteran of WW2 who fought at Arnhem, was captured and survived to the ripe old age of 92.
This Garden honours young soldiers who lost their lives in the Falklands Conflict 1982 and also a Veteran of WW2 who fought at Arnhem, was captured and survived to the ripe old age of 92.

Jason Burt, Neil Grose & Ian Scrivens

Jason Burt, Neil Grose and Ian Scrivens
  • Memorial Text
  • 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment.
  • Jason Burt – Age 17 – Neil Grose – Age 18 – Ian Scrivens Age 17
  • These lads lost their lives on the 12th June 1982 whilst attacking enemy positions during the final battle on Mount Longdon close to the capital Port Stanley during the Falklands War.
  • They helped secure the freedom of the British people on the Islands. “Utrinque Paratus”. ASFMG 2014.

Neil Grose

Private Neil Grose – Family plaque
  • Memorial Text
  • Pte Neil Grose – 3 Para – 11th June 1964 to 12th June 1982.
  • Beloved Son and Brother. Lost his young life in the Battle for Mount Longdon Falkland Islands. Bravely fought, sadly missed.

Mark Dodsworth

Mark Steven Dodsworth
  • Memorial Text
  • Mark Dodsworth
  • 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment – 3rd April 1958 to 12th June 1982 Age 24 years.
  • At the age of 16 Mark enlisted with the Junior leaders Battalion. At 17 he joined 3 Para. Seven years later in the Battle for Mount Longdon during the Falklands War he was shot and severely wounded whilst caring for an injured Para. During the journey to the Medical Aid Station he sadly passed away but was comforted on the journey by Trudi McPhee, one of the fighting Islanders who used their local transport to help the Paras.
  • He is remembered here by his mum Carole, dad Bryan, his brothers Brian & Alan and his friends and colleagues.
  • “Deus Vaut” – “Utrinque Paratus” – (Gods will – Ready for anything).
  • Wolverhampton Para Reg Ass. – ASFMG 2013

Cyril Wilde

Cyril Wilde
  • Memorial Text
  • Cyril Wilde
  • 3rd Battalion Parachute Regiment – 3rd February 1920 -26th January 2013 – Age 92.
  • In September 1944 Cyril Wilde parachuted into Holland as part of an Airborne Assault called “Operation Market Garden” with the aim of capturing the bridge at Arnhem. This did not happen and they had to escape back to the British front line. Many were not successful and during the battles over 1,900 were killed, with 6,800 captured. Cyril was taken prisoner but returned home after the war. He is remembered by his family, friends and fellow Paras, as a soldier who “Fought at Arnhem”.
  • Victory won and now to rest. “Utrinque Paratus”.
  • Wolverhampton Para Reg Ass. – ASFMG 2013

Further Information.

Glider Pilot Regiment 80th Anniversary Bench

This fine metal seat depicting Horsa Gliders over Pegasus Bridge commemorates the 80th Anniversary of the formation of the Glider Pilot Regiment in 1942. Created by and sponsored by Beverley Cooper and her Team at Remembrance Benches for Heroes. (RB4H).
The GPR80 seat has been placed between “PEGGY” and the red oak tree grown from an acorn found in Oosterbeek Cemetery and donated by BLESMA Manchester.
Glider Pilot Regiment Spot the Poppy?
Glider Pilot Regiment
Army Air Corps

Further Information

Wolverhampton & District Parachute Regimental Association

The main commemorative plaque set facing into the Grove towards the Falklands Memorial Way and the 3 Para memorial garden.

Memorial Text – Panel 1

  • This unique Parachute Seat honours the Airborne Forces commemorated individually hereon for their service to the Crown, to their Comrades and the freedom they helped achieve for many countries and communities around the world.
  • From 1940 to 1947 they served the Crown in North Africa, Sicily, Itlay, Normandy, Arnhem, Rhine Crossing, Java and Palestine.
  • From 1948 to 2016 they served the Crown in Malaya, Borneo, Suez/Egypt, South Arabia, Northern Ireland, Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan.
  • This memorial was dedicated on the 1st November 2016 and again on the 5th September 2023 when 7 new plaques were fitted.
The seat shape is of 24 Tombs (panels) of a parachute that has landed. It consists of 48 pieces of timber individually sawn and sanded into shape by Mike Colton and is set on a metal framework.
The back panels consist of 24 separate pieces of hardwood which were sawn and sanded to shape by Mike Colton.
Set in the centre of the seat is a Cherry Tree which is complimented with Box Leaf Honeysuckle that turns out bright green which will compliment the wood colouring.

Memorial plaques were fitted in 2016 and now in 2023 by seven more.

Mark Dodsworth, his father Bryan Dodsworth and his brother Brian Dodsworth.

Memorials Text – Panel 2

  • Mark Steven Dodsworth, 3 Para. Son, Husband, Brother, Paratrooper and ‘gentle giant’. Born in Walsall on 5th April 1958. Participated in Operation Corporate, the Falkland Islands April-June 1982. Killed in action on Mount Longdon 12th June 1982. At rest with his Dad and comrades in Valhalla.
  • Bryan William Dodsworth, 3 Para. Son, Husband, Father, Grand Father and Paratrooper. Born in Walsall on 3rd October 1936. Participated in ‘Operation Musketeer, the last official action drop by the Parachute Regiment at El Gamil Airfield, Suez 1956. At rest with his son and Comrades in Valhalla.
  • Brian Malcolm Dodsworth, 1st November 1960 to 21st November 2021. Husband, Dad, Grandad, Son and Brother. With grateful thanks from the Wolverhampton Parachute Regimental Association in recognition of his help and support over the years. At rest with his Dad and Brother.

Memorial Text – Panel 3

  • Thomas Frederick Brewin (Tom) – Sunrise 7th June 1925/Sunset 2nd February 2023 – Arnhem Veteran. “Gone from our sight but never from our hearts.”
  • Arnold “Arnie” Hutchinson M.B.E. – 17th September 1924 to 29th December 2020. 7th Bn Parachute Regiment, 6th Airborne Division. Op Varsity – Rhine Crossing.
  • Ernest Frank Elston – 31st May 1927 to 28th July 2020. 1st/43rd Ox & Bucks LI. 16th Independent Airborne Brigade 7th Bn HQ.
  • Francis Douglas Guise Lane – (Sgt) C Company 7th Bn (LI), 6th Airborne Div. 5th Para Brigade. Rhine Crossing, Palestine, Far East. ” Much loved and proud of you Dad”.

Memorials Text – Panel 4

  • John Baker (Jack) – 1 Para Bn. Sunrise 5th October 1923/Sunset 1st April 2019. Arnhem Veteran. “Loved, respected and always missed.”
  • Joseph Edward Davies – 3rd September 1922 to 14th March 2016. 779 12th Corps and 779 Airborne. Royal Army Service Corps.
  • Ivan Harthill – 1st Para Bn. 4th February 1926 to 20th February 2018. Fondly remembered by the Harthill family.
  • Donald George Taylor – 2 Para – 30th September 1938 to 16th January 2021. Cyprus, Middle East. Sadly missed by the family and friends. Utrinque Paratus
  • Bryone “Bing” Crosbie – 1 Para – 22nd December 1936 to 30th December 1922. Utrinque Paratus.

Memorials Text – Panel 5

  • Bob Tong – 1923-2014 – 2 SAS.
  • John Nolan – 11th August 1936 to 4th May 2015. 23 SAS.

Memorials Text – Panel 6

  • William (Bilco) Cooper – 1926-2019. Parachute Light Artillery (Airborne). His duty done, sadly missed by all his family.
  • William (Bill) Russell – 1924-2015. Service No. 14926008. 7th/17th Para Battalion. After serving in Egypt and Palestine between 1943-47, he continued too proudly support the Parachute Regimental Association for the remainder of his life. Sadly missed by family and friends.
  • IN TRIBUTE TO ALL OUR PAST MEMBERS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION.

PAGE UPDATED 27th March 2026