Thu, 21 Jan 2010 at 9:13 PM, by GJ
To all whom are interested: on 28 April 2010 a monument to the officers and men of 4th Wilts & 5th Wilts is going to be unveiled at the newly established Arnhem-Schuytgraaf (Netherlands) housing estate, which was built on the October 1944 Wilts battlefield between the town of Elst and the city of Arnhem. 73 Wiltshire men were killed, or died of wounds sustained during the battle for "The Island" (marshy area between Nijmegen and Arnhem) in the aftermath of Operation Market-Garden. The Rifles, as successors of the Wilts Regt will do the military honors (5th Bn from Paderborn). The monument has the shape of row of waves, which represent both the long way up from Normandy to Arnhem, and the constant German attack waves coming from the east. It will be positioned west of the former De Laar farm (now a community centre named Buitenplaats), which stood in the centre of the Wilts defensive positions. This farm has been a place of pelgrimage for Wilts veterans since the end of the war. Two stone panels bear the names of the casualties per battalion, the front panel bears the Wessex Division Wyvern and the WW2 type Wilts badge.
To Andy: 5350854 Pte Sawyer, Arthur F. 5th Wilts, was killed on 03-10-1944 during the battle for the level crossing. This implies that the most probably served with D-Coy. On 03-10-1944 the strategical highly important level crossing was lost and retaken for the second time! After the war, Pte Sawyer's field grave was found 30 yds north of the level crossing, east of the railway. He is now buried in Arnhem-Oosterbeek CWGC War Cemetery 14/C/09, and his name will be engraved on the 5th Bn panel of the monument.

Sun, 20 Sep 2009 at 12:15 AM, by Guest
My dad Victor Cecil Turner served in the 5th Wiltshire Regiment mortar platoon. He was carried from A to B on bren gun carriers, liberated Belsen, on a firing squard ..... and many more stories.

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 at 9:54 PM, by Guest

My Uncle Bill Edwards served with the 5th Wilts, he was killed three days after D Day. I am trying to find out more information about him

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 at 2:39 PM, by Guest
Rodge, my uncle, Pvt. A. F. Sawyer was KIA on the 03/10/44, we believe just outside Arnhem. I'd be interested in your website or book, please drop me a line to keep me posted, thanks, Andy

Mon, 6 Jul 2009 at 3:07 PM, by Guest
Rodge, My grandfather was killed at Hill 112 10/07/1944. He was a Cpl in the carrier platoon 4th Wilts. I have been trying to find out as much as possible about his exploits for as long as I can remember. I have traced and spoken to three veterans who served with him and following various leads found a detailed diary kept by the Lieutenant who was second in command of the carrier platoon and who was himself wounded on 10/7/44. I also have several photos and research notes relating to the carrier platoon some of which appears on the 4th Wilts Living History group website. I've been to Hill 112 many times! Your book sounds interesting. Richard

Tue, 5 May 2009 at 10:22 AM, by Guest
Rodge, My father Alan Mowatt (89) served with the 5th Wilts in Normandy and Holland. Now living in the Forest of Dean. I told him about this page and he asked for your address so that he could send something to you.

Jeff

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