Glider Pilot

On 16 November former Essex Regiment and Glider Pilot Regiment veteran Captain Ron Johnson died at home aged 102. Ron Johnson was called up in September 1939 and as the only grammar schoolboy in his group he was sent on many courses during training.  Scoring 100% on an aircraft recognition course he was fast tracked…

In September 1944, at the age of 19, Frank Ashleigh was the youngest airman to take part in Operation Market Garden. Frank Ashleigh from Kingsbury, who served in WWII with the Glider Pilot Regiment died on 18 June 2023 after a short stay in hospital, he was 98. Frank is survived by his wife Mavis…

Veteran Ray Whitwell enjoyed a flight in a glider on 3 May over the skies of Arnhem where he fought during World War Two.   Ray Whitwell, 103, from Malton, North Yorkshire, was delighted when glider pilot Arjan Vrieze offered to take him up in a glider at the Gelderse Gliding Club during his visit to…