Richard Lonsdale
Richard Lonsdale | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | 'Dickie' |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 151 Parachute Battalion 4th Parachute Brigade |
| Battles / wars | Second World War |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Order and bar, Military Cross |
Major Richard 'Dickie' Lonsdale DSO, MC (1913 – 23 November 1988).
Second World War
Battle of Arnhem
Lonsdale flew into Arnhem with the Second Lift, on Monday 18th September. His C-47 was damaged by flak, which injured his hand and two of his men also received wounds which prevented them from jumping. The injury required him to seek medical attention upon landing, whichmean he was not with the 11th Battalion as it advance on Arnhem, to reinforce the 1st Parachute Brigade who were attempting to force a passage through to Arnhem Bridge. The Battalion suffered heavy casulties and only a small proportion of its original strength withdraw to Oosterbeek with the reminants of the 1st and 3rd Battalions, and 2nd South Staffords. On Tuesday 19th September, Lieutenant-Colonel "Sheriff" Thompson, commander of the 1st Airlanding Light Regiment, ordered Lonsdale to take control of these units. Lonsdale organised them into a defensive position ahead of the Regiment's guns near the Oosterbeek Church, approximatly 100 yards from the river. Collectively, they became known as the "Lonsdale Force".
Lonsdale Force
Later life
References
Bibliography
