Assault on the Merville Battery 6 June 1944

[Mike Jackson]

Yesterday's Daily Telegraph contained an obituary and image of Sgt Fred Milward, 9 Para Bn who was believed until his death on 23 Jul 17 to have been the last living survivor of this famous D Day action. Having failed to join the RAF (underage) he managed to get into the R Sussex Regt and transferred to the Parachute Regt. Worth reading if you can find a copy - obituaries for non-commissioned ranks are quite rare in the Daily Telegraph. Mike

[Mike B]

Hi Mike

A foot note I hope may be of interest - even though a bit peripheral:

I was priveledged to meet Major General Corran Purdon a couple of years ago. He was a Lt with No12 Cdo when captured on the St Nazaire Raid. Later imprisoned in Colditz, he subsequently married 'Jeannie' the widow of Lt Col TBH Otway, CO 9 Para Bn.

Of passing interest is that on release from Colditz, Corran returned to 1st Bn of his Regiment: The Royal Ulster Rifles - then in 6th Airborne Division.

Corran is a remarkable man, with an incredible career - his biography 'List the Bugle' is nothing less than inspirational.

As with all great men, his modesty and 'down to earth' nature is/was most endearing. I was not surprised to learn his men would follow him anywhere, it is clear their well being was a priority to him.

I believe Corran may be the last survivor (certainly British survivor) of Colditz, and one of very few living veterans (if any others) who participated in the St Nazaire raid.

Mike