Private Stanley Aylward

Stanley Aylward, 6088971, was a Private in Support Company, 156 Parachute Battalion. Born in 1921, he enlisted upon or shortly before the outbreak of war in September 1939, joining The Queen's Royal (West Surrey) Regiment. Whilst based in the Middle East he volunteered for the Airborne Forces and was posted to the 156 Battalion, completing parachute course K25 at Ramat David, Palestine, in late 1942. It is believed that he took part in the 1st Airborne Division's operations in Italy in September 1943. During Operation Market Garden in September 1944, he took off in a C-47 from Saltby with the Second Lift on Monday 18th, and jumped over DZ-Y. He made a successful landing but came under fire from the Germans on the drop zone and was shot in the knee. Aylward was later discovered by medics, covered by his parachute in a shell-hole, and was duly brought to a field hospital but was taken prisoner when it was overrun. After his release, he joined the 8th Parachute Battalion and may have served with them in Palestine before being discharged on either the 15th June or 2nd September 1946. A member of the 156 Parachute Battalion Old Comrades Association and the Parachute Regimental Association, Stanley Aylward passed away in 1996. Thanks to Bob Hilton for this account.