Operation Bluebell

In January 1943 I was stationed in Ipswich, England. I was posted to Hardwick in Chesterfield to do my pre training to join the Parachute Regiment. I was 19 years old. We went on to Ringway where we done pre para training. We done our first two jumps from the barrage balloon in Tatton Park, the next five were from the aperture in the floor of Whitley bombers. Our final jump was to be at night which worried me, but it turned out to be the easiest landing of them all. It was course number 50.
We were presented with our Para wings and sent to a battalion, it was 8th Para at Beacon Hill, Bulford. Being a 3" mortar man I was put in that platoon. Our Para pay was 2 shillings a day extra. Mt daily pay was 6 shillings (30 pence).
Training consisted of map reading, compass, up and down Beacon Hill, but mostly we trained with the 3" mortars.
We got a new officer, Mr Shoppee. I quite liked him. A platoon of us returned to Ringway to partake in Manchesters Wings For Victory parade which took place on 20th March 1943. Also there were a platoon of Royal Ulster Rifles, they were glider troops. That was just a weekend visit, back to Bulford. Training continued and early June1943 we were to exercise with the Polish Para in Scotland. Being a Scot, it was great to return home.
8th M.C. Para Battalion
Exercise Bluebell
We were to fly up, drop on the drop zone and do a series of exercises against the Polish Para. Prior to the flight we had a series of lectures. We were quite looking forward to it, the only worry was 13, it was FRIDAY 13th June 1943.
We arose at 6am, had breakfast, checked our kit and set off for Thruxton Aerodrome. We arrived about 8 o'clock. We drew our chutes abd had them fitted, all ready to en-plane, we waited and waited and at 1130 we were brought some tea and sandwiches. We were bored stiff. Finally we en-planed and at 1300 hours the first plane took off. The planes were Whitley bombers with an aperture in the floor. There were 13 planes in all, each holding 10 Paras, so again with 130 Paras, 13 is there. I think it took us over 2 hours to fly to the drop zone, which was just north of Leuchars, this was a worry as the run in to the drop zone was towards the sea, any overshoot or delay and we were in the drink! Luckily I was No.2 to drop, even though we were sitting at action station I had to stand up to kick out our bike which was stuck in the aperture. Our stick all got out and we didn't get our feet wet, but when I landed I was blown the full length right into the trees.
Running over to collect the kit from the container, we found ot lying on top of a sergeant, blood spewing everywhere. Had there not been so many VIP's watching the jump would have been cancelled.
One of the planes did overshoot the dropzone while it was flying up the Firth of Tay, it is said that the sun shone on the green light for GO.
Sadly they jumped and in all I think 7 drowned, including the officer in charge. The RSM Mr Parsons was saved because he was fortunate enough to land on a sandbank.
We continued for a week doing little exercises then we flew home to Bulford. Not long after we marched from Bulford to Tilshead, shortly after a memorial service was held in the local church which I visited just 2 years ago.
It may have been different had the run in to the drop zone been from the sea, but sadly we will never know.
I still correspond with Albert Russell who was in the next bed at Tilshead, his brother too in NZ.

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