Des Page

GPR

SSgt

Pay Respect

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Desmond (Des) Page (SSgt Glider Pilot Regiment) on 15 May 18. Those in our serving and retired communities with connections to the Glider Pilot Regiment will be familiar with Des as a long serving, active and staunch member of the Association. He joined the Glider Pilot Regiment in January 1944 on transfer from the Royal Tank Regiment. He started his training with No 21 Elementary Flying Training School and completed it in May 1944, when he was posted to E Sqn GPR. Des was co-pilot to SSgt Stan Graham in 25 Flt/E Sqn GPR for Operation MARKET GARDEN where they flew in a detachment of the Royal Army Service Corps. Des managed to evade capture by swimming across the Rhine. He then went on to take part in Operation VARSITY as a member of B Squadron for the Rhine Crossing as a pilot for the coup de main of the northern road bridge over the Issel by the Ox & Bucks Light Infantry.
In 1946 he was selected to take part in the Victory Parade in London. He retired from service in October that year.
Our thoughts are with his family and with his comrades and friends at this time.

Memories

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