Pictures
Examples of the work of the Trust
memorial works for 6th AB Div, commissioned by AANT->
(more to follow)
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Airborne Forces Day 24 July 2010 at Merville Barracks Colchester
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RHQ PARA Normandy pilgrimage June 2010
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IN MEMORIAM
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The death has been announced of Lt Gen Sir Michael Gray, joint-President of AANT and a founder member of the Trust. Michael Gray was born in May 1932. He enlisted into the Royal Artillery in 1950 and was later commissioned into the East Yorkshire Regiment in 1952.He transferred to the Parachute Regiment in 1955 and went onto serve in Cyprus, Suez, Jordan, Greece, Bahrain, Aden and Northern Ireland.He later became Brigade Major of 44 PARA Brigade 1964-66, Commanding Officer of 1 PARA 1969-71, Commander of 16 PARA Bde 1977-79 and Colonel Commandant of the Parachute Regiment from 1990-93.Mike Gray was a long standing Chairman of the Airborne Assault Normandy Trust and in recognition of his efforts was awarded the French Legion d'Honneur in 1994. He also served as Lieutenant of the Tower of London from 1995 to 1998. He died in York Hospital on 13 March 2011. (from PARADATA)
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The death has been announced of Major Jack Watson MC, joint-President of AANT.
Jack Watson was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire on 14 Jan 1917.With the onset of the Second World War, he joined the army in 1939. His initial service with the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry, with which he served until 1941. In 1942, he joined the South Lancashire Regiment (PWV) 2/4 Battalion, which in 1943 became the 13th (Lancashire) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment (AAC).From 1943 to 1945 he served with 13th (Lancashire) Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. On 6 June 1944, he parachuted in to Normandy as 'Operation Overlord' began serving as Platoon Commander and Second in Command of 'A' Company. He saw continuous service throughout the campaign before returning to Britain as Commander of 'A' Company in Sept 1944. Maj Watson was soon back into active service during the Ardennes and Holland campaign (the 'Battle of the Bulge'). During the Battle of Bure (3-6 Jan 1945) he was awarded the Military Cross. Following a brief return to Britain he once more parachuted into action during 'Operation Varsity' - Rhine Crossing and fought his way as Commander of 'A' Company across Northern Europe to the Baltic.After the war, he served as Company Commander between 1945 and 1950 in the UK, Palestine, Airborne Forces Depot, Demonstration Coy, and at RAF Netheravon, Wiltshire. During this time, in 1946 he gained a regular commission from AAC to the West Yorkshire Regiment (PWO) whilst continuing to serve The Parachute Regiment. During 1950 to 1953 he served as Adjutant of 1st Battalion, West Yorks in Austria and the Canal Zone, where he later, from 1953 to 1954, became a Company Commander in 2nd Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. From 1954 to 1957 he was Staff Officer of Infantry and Officer Commanding Airportability Wing, AATDC, RAF Old Sarum, Wiltshire. His final army appointment during 1957 to 1958 saw him become Company Commander, 1st Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment in the UK, before his retirement from military service in 1958. He became the Leader of the Annual Airborne Normandy Pilgrimage and similar programmes which included visits to the Ardennes and Rhine Crossing locations. During this time he also became President of Airborne Assault Normandy Trust (AANT). In 1992, he was awarded the Colonel Commandant's Commendation. This was followed in 2001 by the Fishmongers Trophy annual award by the Guild of Fishmongers to individuals who have made a distinctive contribution to The Parachute Regiment. In 2005, he was awarded Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur and made Honorary Citizen of Bure and Tellin in the Ardennes whilst in 2006 he was also made an Honorary Citizen of Ranville, Normandy. (from PARADATA)
