The Double Hills Arnhem Memorial Service at Paulton, on the afternoon of Sunday, 2nd September 2012, attracted a particularly large and prestigious attendance. The military, civic and the general public were well represented.

Event organiser Peter Yeates succeeded in rescuing the event after serious doubts were raised about its future earlier in the year; supporting him were sprightly Arnhem veteran Brigadier Mike Dauncey DSO, DL, Colonel Peter Eadie, Commandant Army Aviation Centre, Lieutenant Colonel Jason Hones RE, CO 23 Engineer Regiment (Air Assault), sappers from 9 Parachute Squadron RE, young Air Troopers from 676 Squadron, 2 (Training) Regiment, Army Air Corps, 22 year old blues singer Lauren Reading, cadets from Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) Army Cadet Force and numerous veterans and local organisations.

The service remembers the two pilots from the Glider Pilot Regiment and 21 sappers from 9th (Airborne) Field Company, Royal Engineers, who died when their Horsa glider carrying them to Arnhem on Operation Market Garden on 17th September 1944 broke up over Paulton and crashed. 9 Parachute Squadron can trace their lineage directly back to the sappers who were killed.

The service was opened by singer Lauren Reading singing 'The Wind Beneath My Wings', an appropriate song for the airborne brotherhood. She then welcomed special guest Brigadier Mike Dauncey to the event with a kiss!

Following the flypast, The Reverend Guy Edwards, Vicar of Paulton, and Captain (Reverend) Stuart Boyd, Padre with Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) Army Cadet Force), led with prayers.

Three buglers from Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) Army Cadet Force, Colour Serjeant Damon Farnell, Serjeant Kirk Ward and Cadet Corporal Daniel Bingham, sounded the 'Last Post', followed a minute later by 'Reveille'.

Numerous wreaths were laid at the foot of the memorial, beginning with those of Lieutenant Colonel Hones, Colonel Eadie and Brigadier Dauncey. The wreath of the latter was laid by an 18 year old Air Trooper from 676 Squadron Army Air Corps, fresh from Basic Training.

The Reviewing Officer was Lieutenant Colonel Hones who took time to speak with Major Barry Angus, Officer Commanding Normandy Company, Somerset Cadet Battalion (The Rifles) Army Cadet Force, and his cadets and instructors. Then the detachments marched down Tennis Court Road to the Saluting Base where Lieutenant Colonel Hones, along with Brigadier Dauncey and Colonel Eadie, took the salute. Marching at The Rifles' 140 paces a minute, rather than the normal 120 paces a minute, meant that the ACF cadets had to get their timing spot on as they closed on the Saluting Base after leaving a gap in case they caught up! Tea and cakes in the Village Hall was a welcome relief for all after an outstandingly successful event.

The spirit and commitment of the cadets was exemplary, giving up another Sunday of their time for the community! They helped behind the scenes with programmes, tentage and seating.

Thanks must go to Peter Yeates who, almost singlehandedly, put the whole event together, just as he has done for 34 years.

Story: Colour Serjeant Peter Russell LBIPP

Pictures: Colour Serjeant Peter Russell LBIPP & Cadet Corporal George Milton