Warfare in News
Posted on Friday 20th December
A Second World War veteran of the Royal Engineers 1st Parachute Brigade who was wounded and taken prisoner after parachuting in to Holland during Operation Market Garden met his local MP Dan Jarvis (also an ex-Para) on Thursday with his Publisher, Pen and Sword Books.
Barnsley resident Tom Hicks met Mr Jarvis in the offices of his Barnsley-based Publisher, where the two chatted about their respective experiences in the Paras, and plans to return to Arnhem for the 70th anniversary commemorations in September 2014. 94 year old Tom has attended the memorial services in Holland every September for the last 50 years, staying with local families during his visits. He even took part in an annual parachute jump until insurance age restrictions prevented this.
Tom kindly signed the MP's copy of his new biography, written by his son Norman based on Tom's wartime diaries, Captured at Arnhem - From Railwayman to Paratrooper (Pen & Sword Books).
Barnsley resident Tom Hicks met Mr Jarvis in the offices of his Barnsley-based Publisher, where the two chatted about their respective experiences in the Paras, and plans to return to Arnhem for the 70th anniversary commemorations in September 2014. 94 year old Tom has attended the memorial services in Holland every September for the last 50 years, staying with local families during his visits. He even took part in an annual parachute jump until insurance age restrictions prevented this.
Tom kindly signed the MP's copy of his new biography, written by his son Norman based on Tom's wartime diaries, Captured at Arnhem - From Railwayman to Paratrooper (Pen & Sword Books).
Further Reading
Only £25.00
Captured at Arnhem
(Hardback - 288 pages)by Norman Hicks
Tom Hicks' story begins when he joins the LMS straight from school and follows his early life on the railways in the 1930s, through enlistment, training as a paratrooper, wartime service, imprisonment and his return to the LMS as an engine driver.
Tom volunteered for war service in 1939 and was initially placed in the military railway of the Royal Engineers. In search of adventure, he successfully applied to join the… Read more...
Of further interest...
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Operation Market Garden - 17 September 1944
Tue 17th SeptemberAn overview of Operation Market Garden by renowned battlefield guide authors Major and Mrs Holt, focusing on the first day of the operation Read article...
The Writing of The First Day on the Somme
Thu 27th JuneBestselling First World War writer Martin Middlebrook tells the story of how his journey from 'accidental author' to multi-published military authority. Read article...