1st British Airborne Division
Arnhem, September 1944
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The service number of each person is (when known) given after the date of commissioning. Most officers had only a wartime career, but when no indication is given about a Territorial Army commission or an emergency commission, the officer involved served as a Regular Army officer, with in most cases an active army career before and after the war. For explanations & abbreviations you can look at the help page.

 
W
Waddy,
Alexander Peter Harry
A.P.H. Waddy

Son of Capt. Alexander Harry Waddy, and of Dorothy Latham Waddy, of Bransgore, Hampshire.

10.02.1919
-
18.09.1944
(KIA) [age 25]
(Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery 27.C.4]
[commemorated at Bransgore War Memorial]
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
01.07.1939 [95501]
Lt.
01.01.1941
A/Capt.
22.05.1940
WS/Capt.
04.11.1943
T/Maj.
04.11.1943
Education: Royal Military College
01.07.1939


commissioned, The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales's)
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, B Company, 3rd Parachute Battalion (Arnhem [killed in action])
Waddy,
John Llewellyn
J.L. Waddy (Photo courtesy of Mr H.J. Broer)
J.L. Waddy
Son of Lt.Col. Richard Henry Waddy, DSO (1886-1952).

interview at IWM
(search for
 "Waddy"
 under "Maker/Producer Information")

17.06.1920
Taunton district, Somerset
-
04.2008 still alive
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
03.07.1939 [95593]
Lt.
03.01.1941
A/Capt.
24.09.1940-23.12.1940
T/Capt.
24.12.1940-28.02.1941, 20.04.1941-23.01.1944
WS/Capt.
24.01.1944
Capt.
01.07.1946
A/Maj.
24.10.1943-23.01.1944
T/Maj.
24.01.1944-09.07.1945, 27.07.1945-03.04.1948
Maj.
03.07.1952
Lt.Col.
07.08.1960 [supernumerary 07.08.1963]
Col.
16.11.1964, seniority 23.08.1964 (retd 31.08.1974)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
01.01.1963
New Year 63
Mention in Despatches MID
29.06.1954
Malaya 2nd half 53
Education: Royal Military College; psc (1950), fs
03.07.1939


commissioned, The Somerset Light Infantry
(10.1941)


151st Parachute Battalion (India)
(1942)


Intelligence Officer, 156th Parachute Battalion (injured 02.1942)
04.11.1942
-
30.11.1942
Adjutant, 156th Parachute Battalion
(1943)


Intelligence Officer, 4th Parachute Brigade (Middle East, Italy)
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, B Company, 156th Parachute Battalion (Arnhem)
1945
-
1946
9th Parachute Battalion (Palestine, Malaya, Egypt)
23.10.1948
-
07.01.1950
General Staff Officer 3rd grade (GSO3), HQ Southwest District
26.04.1951
-
06.07.1952
General Staff Officer 3rd grade (GSO3), HQ ... Infantry Division
02.05.1956
-
04.04.1958
General Staff Officer 2nd grade (GSO2), UK ALS Canada
10.06.1958


transferred to the Parachute Regiment
07.08.1960
-
13.09.1962
Deputy Commandant Airborne Forces
14.09.1962
-
14.11.1964
Chief Instructor, SA Wing, School of Infantry, Eastern Command



Commandant, Depot The Parachute Regiment & Airborne Forces
Colonel, Special Air Service.
Published: A tour of the Arnhem battlefields (1998)
Wadsworth,
John Graham Hilton
J.G.H. Wadsworth
?
-
[1978 alive, Waterloo, London]
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
12.03.1944 [312500]
WS/Lt.
12.09.1944 (reld 21.03.1951)
T/Capt.
?
Hon.Capt.
21.03.1951
Bronze Star Medal (US) BSM
14.11.1947
Arnhem 09.44
12.03.1944


commissioned, Royal Armoured Corps [emergency commission]
(09.1944)


Troop Officer, HQ Troop, 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron (Arnhem)
Head of Programme Contracts, British Broadcasting Corporation (?).
Wainwright,
Thomas James
"Tom"
T.J. Wainwright (Photo courtesy of Mr H.J. Broer)
(03?).1922 ?
Hackney district, Greater London ?
-
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
15.10.1939 [101367]
WS/Lt.
15.04.1941
A/Capt.
18.04.1940
T/Capt.
11.03.1942 (reld > 04.1946)
Mention in Despatches MID
20.09.1945

escape and evasion

Bronzen Kruis (The Netherlands) BK
20.01.1947
Arnhem 09.44 [date of Dutch Royal Decree 31.07.45]
15.10.1939


commissioned, The Royal Berkshire Regiment (Princess Charlotte of Wales's) [emergency commission]
> 04.1941
< 04.1944


transferred, Parachute Regiment - Army Air Corps
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, Support Company, 156th Parachute Battalion (Arnhem)
Walchli,
Robert Oscar
"Robin"
R.O. Walchli
Son of ... Walchli, and ... Fryer.
(03?).1920
Islington district, Greater London
-
1996 still alive
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
19.10.1940 [153528]
WS/Lt.
19.04.1942 (reld > 04.1946)
T/Capt.
29.03.1944
Hon. Maj.
?
Efficiency Medal (Territorial) EM
19.09.1995
-



Officer Cadet Training Unit (OCTU)
19.10.1940


commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery [emergency commission]
02.05.1942


transferred, Glider Pilot Regiment - Army Air Corps
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, 24 Flight (G Squadron, No. 1 Wing), The Glider Pilot Regiment (Arnhem)
Chartered quantity surveyor, Sarratt, Hertfordshire.
Walker,
John Waine
"Johnny"
J.W. Walker
?
-
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
22.02.1941 [172952]
WS/Lt.
22.08.1942
T/Capt.
13.05.1943 (reld > 04.1946)
Mention in Despatches MID
10.05.1945
NW Europe
22.02.1941


commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery [emergency commission]
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, B Troop, 1st Airlanding Light Battery RA (acting as Forward Observation Officer, attached to the 7th Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers) (Arnhem [evacuated])
Wallis,
David William
D.W. Wallis D.W. Wallis
Son of Frederick and Katherine Elizabeth Wallis (née Ellis), of Rannoch, Perthshire.

(03?).1915
Solihull district, Warwickshire / West Midlands / Worcestershire
-
18.09.1944
(KIA) [age 29]
(Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery 18.C.10]
[commemorated at a memorial on the east bank of Loch Rannoch]
2nd Lt.
26.07.1939 [93375]
WS/Lt.
30.01.1941
T/Capt.
30.01.1941
WS/Capt.
18.08.1942
T/Maj.
18.08.1942
Mention in Despatches MID
25.10.1945
Arnhem 09.44
26.07.1939


commissioned, The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry - Territorial Army
24.08.1939


mobilized TA



4th Battalion The Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry
> 04.1941
< 04.1944


transferred, Parachute Regiment - Army Air Corps - Territorial Army
(09.1944)


Second-in-Command, 2nd Parachute Battalion (Arnhem [killed in action])
Walley,
Howard Trevor
H.T. Walley
Son of Arthur Leonard and Constance Violet Walley (née Hitt), of Plymouth.

(03?).1923
Cardiff district, Glamorgan
-
13.12.1944
[Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece, 17.A.10]
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
05.12.1942 [255151]
WS/Lt.
05.06.1943
Education: Sutton High School for Boys (1937-1939)
05.12.1942


commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery [emergency commission]
(09.1944)


Troop Leader, D Troop, 2nd Airlanding Light Battery RA (Arnhem)
?
-
13.12.1944
165th Field Regiment RA (attached 7th US Army)
Walpole,
Robert Holland
R.H. Walpole
?
-
Cadet
? [1929836]
2nd Lt.
14.11.1943 [299893]
WS/Lt.
14.05.1944 (reld > 04.1946)
14.11.1943


commissioned, Corps of Royal Engineers [emergency commission]
(09.1944)


Troop Officer, C Troop, 1st Parachute Squadron RE (Arnhem)
Walters,
Ernest Frederick
E.F. Walters
?
-
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
03.10.1942 [247035]
WS/Lt.
03.04.1943 (reld > 04.1946)
Hon. Capt.
> 04.1946
Efficiency Medal (Territorial) EM
18.02.1949
-
03.10.1942


commissioned, The South Staffordshire Regiment [emergency commission]
(07.1943)


Officer Commanding, 19 Platoon (D Company), 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment (Sicily)
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, Pioneer Platoon (HQ Company), 2nd Battalion The South Staffordshire Regiment (Arnhem [POW])
Warr,
Peter Esmond
P.E. Warr
Son of ... Warr, and ... Robinson.
From Hindhead, Surrey.

30.10.1919
Alton district, Hampshire
-
19.01.1982
North East Hampshire district, Hampshire
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
17.05.1941 [187052]
T/Capt.
?
WS/Capt.
01.05.1943 (reld > 04.1946)
T/Maj.
01.05.1943
Distinguished Service Order DSO
20.09.1945
Arnhem 09.44
Member of the Order of the British Empire MBE
09.09.1942
Middle East (Egypt and Libya) 41/42
17.05.1941


commissioned, The East Surrey Regiment [emergency commission]
10.1941
-
(1942)
parachute training school at Kabrit, later No. 4 Middle East Training School
(1942)


1st Special Air Service Regiment
01.01.1943


transferred, Parachute Regiment - Army Air Corps
(09.1943)
-
(09.1944)
Officer Commanding, B Company, 10th Parachute Battalion (Italy; Arnhem [wounded, POW])
Manufacturers agent (Elstead, Surrey).
Warrack,
Graeme Matthew
G.M. Warrack G.M. Warrack

G.M. Warrack
G.M. Warrack
Married (1939); 3 children.

27.06.1913
Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland
-
13.01.1985
Humbie, East Lothian, Scotland
Cadet
?
2nd Lt.
28.01.1933 [57723]
Lt.
28.01.1936
Capt.
16.01.1938
A/Maj.
25.11.1940
WS/Maj.
01.12.1942 (reld 1945/46)
T/Lt.Col.
01.12.1942
A/Col.
1944
Hon. Col.
1945/46
Maj. TA
10.10.1950, seniority 09.01.1945
A/Lt.Col. TA
10.10.1950
Lt.Col. TA
27.06.1951
A/Col. TA
01.12.1956
Col. TA
14.02.1958, seniority 01.12.1956 (retd 28.01.1968)
local Brig. TA
01.12.1960
Commander of the Order of the British Empire CBE
01.01.1968
New Year 68
Officer of the Order of the British Empire OBE
20.09.1945
Arnhem 09.44
Distinguished Service Order DSO
24.05.1945
Arnhem 09.44
Territorial/Efficiency Decoration TD
14.11.1947
?
Territorial/Efficiency Decoration TD
03.11.1950
?
Territorial/Efficiency Decoration TD
10.01.1958
?
Edcuation: Edinburgh Academy; Trinity College, Glenalmond; University of Edinburgh & University of Pennsylvania (medicine & dentistry)



Officer Cadet from Edinburgh University Contingent, Senior Division, Officer Training Corps
28.01.1933


commissioned, Royal Scots (The Royal Regiment) - Territorial Army



company commander, 7th/9th Battalion Royal Scots (Territorial)
24.08.1939


mobilized TA
30.07.1940


transferred, Royal Army Medical Corps 
25.11.1940
-
(04.1941)
Deputy Assistant Director of Medical Services, ...
08.1942
-
1944
Commanding Officer, 181st Airlanding Field Ambulance (N Africa, Sicily, Italy)
1944
-
(09.1944)
Assistant Director of Medical Services, 1st Airborne Division (Arnhem)
?
-
10.10.1950
Territorial Army Reserve of Officers
10.10.1950
-
01.12.1956
Supplementary Reserve of Officers [renamed: Army Emergency Reserve of Officers]
01.12.1956
-
01.12.1960
Territorial Army (Active List)
01.12.1960
-
28.01.1968
Territorial Army Reserve of Officers
MRCP, LRCS, FDS.
Retired from the Army and started a practice in Edinburgh as general practitioner. Served on in the TA (Chief Medical Adviser to the TA Council). Honorary Colonel, 144th Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC (V), 10.01.1969-10.01.1979. Chairman, Edinburgh, Lothians and Peebles Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association, 1962. Deputy Lieutenant, Edinburgh, 21.11.1963; President, Royal Odonto-Chirurgical Society of Scotland, 1967. Honorary Physician to the Queen, 29.07.1958-29.07.1960. Member of Queen's Body Guard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers); Chairman, Royal British Legion, Scotland, 1981-1984.
Published
: Travel by dark : after Arnhem (1963)
Watkins,
the Reverend Robert Talbot
R.T. Watkins R.T. Watkins
R.T. Watkins R.T. Watkins
From Leeds.

13.07.1913
Tynemouth district, Northumberland
-
15.03.1973
Sheffield district
[aged 60]
Capt.
28.05.1941 [188498] = Chaplain to the Forces 4th Cl. (retd 17.06.1946)
MC
09.11.1944
Arnhem 09.44
Mention in Despatches MID
1943?
Sicily 07.43
Education: University (BA; MA)
28.05.1941


commissioned, Royal Army Chaplains' Department [emergency commission] - Methodist
1941
 

 
qualified as paratrooper
1943


16th Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC
(09.)1944
-
10.1945
Chaplain, 1st Parachute Battalion (Arnhem [evacuated], Norway)
10.1945
-
02.1946
Chaplain, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Kent
02.07.1956
-
17.11.1962
Territorial Army (Active List)
17.11.1962
-
01.04.1967
Territorial Army Reserve of Officers
01.04.1967
-
13.07.1968
Regular Army Reserve of Officers (Class III)
Parishes: Oxford Hall, Manchester/Salford, Southpost, Bristol & Sheffield.
Watling,
Stanley Edward
"Stan"
S.E. Watling

Son of Edward and Ethel Watling (née Watling), of Woodbridge, Suffolk.
Husband of Phyllis J. Watling, of Overton, Hampshire.

(03?).1916
Woodbridge, Suffolk
-
19.09.1944
(KIA) [age 28]
[Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, 6.B.19]
Sgt.
? [2612035] (Drum Major)
2nd Lt.
04.10.1943 [301782]
WS/Lt.
1944?
British Empire Medal BEM
23.09.1943
North Africa (Algeria & Tunisia)



served in the ranks, 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards
04.10.1943


commissioned, Reconnaissance Corps - Royal Armoured Corps [immediate emergency commission]
11.12.1943


transferred, Parachute Regiment - Army Air Corps
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, 4 Platoon (A Company), 156th Parachute Battalion (Arnhem [killed in action])
Wayte,
Albert Edwyn Francis
A.E.F. Wayte A.E.F. Wayte
Son of Edwyn John and Violet Constance Wayte, of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada.
1917 ?
-
20.09.1944
Arnhem
(DOW) [age 27]
[Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, 26.B.1]
2nd Lt.
?
Lt.
?

-
01.04.1944
RRC
01.04.1944
-

No. A-34 Training Centre (Reinforcements) CIC



Canloan scheme: CDN/477
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, 10 Platoon (C Company), 7th Battalion The King's Own Scottish Borderers (Arnhem; died of wounds)
Webber,
Daniel Robert Wyndham
"Dan"
D.R.W. Webber
D.R.W. Webber
10.12.1913
-
08.1993
West Somerset district, Somerset
2nd Lt.
30.08.1934 [63580]
Lt.
30.08.1937
A/Capt.
21.09.1939-23.11.1939, 08.12.1939-03.01.1940
T/Capt.
04.01.1940-30.06.1940, 26.07.1940-29.08.1942
Capt.
30.08.1942
A/Maj.
18.10.1941-17.01.1942
T/Maj.
18.01.1942-14.05.1942, 05.06.1942-09.02.1944, 20.03.1944-24.06.1945, 30.06.1945-11.04.1946
WS/Maj.
12.04.1946
Maj.
30.08.1947
A/Lt.Col.
12.01.1946-11.04.1946
T/Lt.Col.
12.04.1946-29.05.1946, 24.10.1946-14.02.1948
Lt.Col.
01.03.1957 (retd 22.06.1958)
Education: psc
30.08.1934


commissioned, West Yorkshire Regiment (The Prince of Wales's Own)
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, HQ Company, 11th Parachute Battalion (Arnhem)
Welch,
William Gordon
W.G. Welch W.G. Welch

From Walton, Staffs.
21.12.1918
-
2nd Lt.
25.05.1940 [132473]
WS/Lt.
25.11.1941
Lt.
09.08.1947, seniority 09.09.1941
A/Capt.
10.07.1943-09.10.1943
T/Capt.
10.10.1943-17.06.1945, 11.07.1945-28.01.1946
WS/Capt.
29.01.1946
Capt.
09.08.1947, seniority 01.07.1946
A/Maj.
29.10.1945-28.01.1946
T/Maj.
29.01.1946-16.07.1947
Maj.
09.03.1953
Lt.Col.
04.09.1961 (retd 23.03.1963)
MC
21.10.1943
Sicily 07.43
Education: psc
25.05.1940


commissioned, The Border Regiment [emergency commission to 08.08.1947]
(09.1944)


Second-in-Command, C Company, 1st Battalion The Border Regiment (Arnhem; wounded, POW)
09.08.1947


commissioned, Royal Army Service Corps [permanent commission]
Wellbelove,
John Arthur
J.A. Wellbelove

Son of John and Mary Eva Wellbelove, of Eston, Saskatchewan, Canada.
1920 ?
-
21.09.1944
(KIA) [age 24]
[Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery 30.C.2]
2nd Lt.
?
Lt.
20.11.1943
?


commissioned, Canadian Infantry Corps [emergency commission]
(11.1943)
-
14.03.1944
The Prince Albert & Battleford Volunteers
14.03.1944
-

No. A-34 Training Centre (Reinforcements) CIC



Canloan scheme: CDN/318
(09.1944)


Officer Commanding, 13 Platoon (B Company), 1st Battalion The Border Regiment (Arnhem; killed in action)
Wells,
Charles Edward Cecil
C.E.C. Wells
Son of ... Wells, and ... Flack.
09.03.1917
Chelsea district, Greater London
-
05.1993
Truro district, Cornwall
Lt.
14.08.1943 [287897]
WS/Capt.
14.08.1944
Education: MB
14.08.1943


commissioned, Royal Army Medical Corps [emergency commission]
(09.1944)


Section Officer, 16th Parachute Field Ambulance RAMC [attached to 1st Parachute Brigade HQ] (Arnhem; wounded, POW)
Wetherill,
Peter Hindley
P.H. Wetherill
?
-
2nd Lt.
26.01.1940 [117403]
WS/Lt.
26.07.1941
T/Capt.
26.03.1942
WS/Capt.
20.01.1946
T/Maj.
20.01.1946
26.01.1940


commissioned, Corps of Royal Engineers [emergency commission]
(09.1944)


Second-in-Command, 9th (Airborne) Field Company RE (Arnhem)
Whimster,
William Swanson
W.S. Whimster
10.04.1910
-
12.1992

Brighton, Sussex
2nd Lt.
19.07.1939 [93355]
WS/Lt.
19.04.1940
Lt.
30.07.1946, seniority 19.04.1940
[short service commission]
Lt.
13.09.1947, seniority 01.08.1938
[permanent commission]
A/Capt.
19.01.1940-18.04.1940
T/Capt.
19.04.1940-09.09.1943, 01.12.1943-24.12.1945
WS/Capt.
1944?
Capt.
13.09.1947, seniority 10.04.1943
A/Maj.
01.10.1946-31.12.1946
T/Maj.
01.01.1947-09.04.1948
Maj.
10.04.1948
T/Lt.Col.
04.08.1954
Lt.Col.
21.04.1956 (retd 02.09.1958)
Mention in Despatches MID
20.12.1940
?
Mention in Despatches MID
10.05.1945
NW Europe (Arnhem)
Territorial/Efficiency Decoration TD
?
?
19.07.1939


commissioned, Royal Regiment of Artillery - Territorial Army (late Officer Cadet, Aberdeen University Contingent, Senior Division, OTC)
24.08.1939
-