Lieutenant James Eric Blackwood

Unit : No.6 Platoon, "B" Company, 11th Parachute Battalion

Army No. : 105015

Awards : Military Cross

During the operations at Arnhem, Lieutenant Blackwood, by his courage, leadership and devotion to duty, held together the men in his sector against the most enormous odds. Time and again with a handful of men he beat off attacks. He never troubled about his own safety. He was never to be found in a trench at a time when the fire was heavy. He was always going round his positions steadying and cheering his men. For five days and nights without rest he held his sector, and whether he was beating off attacks by day or leading patrols by night, he always showed himself to be a leader of the highest order.

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