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Jim Wallwork

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Jim Wallwork
Birth nameJames Harley Wallwork
Nickname(s)Jim
Born21 October 1919
Salford, England
Died24 January 2013(2013-01-24) (aged 93)
White Rock, British Columbia, Canada
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1939–1945
RankStaff Sergeant
Service number903986
UnitGlider Pilot Regiment
Battles / warsSecond World War
AwardsDistinguished Flying Medal
Other workFarmer

Staff Sergeant James Harley Wallwork DFM (21 October 1919 – 24 January 2013) was a British soldier and a member of the Glider Pilot Regiment who achieved notability as the pilot of the first Horsa glider to land at Pegasus Bridge in the early hours of D-Day, 6 June 1944, during the Second World War. This achievement was described as "the greatest feat of flying of the second world war" by Air Chief Marshal Sir Trafford Leigh-Mallory.[1] Although most noted for his part in the Battle of Normandy, Wallwork flew gliders in every major British airborne operation of the Second World War. These also included the Sicily landings, Arnhem and the Rhine Crossings. In later life he lived in Vancouver.

Early life

He was born in Salford, son of an artilleryman who had served during the First World War. When Wallwork volunteered for the British Army in May 1939 his father advised him against joining the infantry. He was assigned to the Royal Artillery, to the Territorial Army's 53rd Field Regiment, RA, part of the 42nd (East Lancashire) Infantry Division, before being posted to the 111th Field Regiment, RA, part of the 66th Infantry Division. In late May 1940 he was posted to an infantry until, the 9th Battalion of the York and Lancaster Regiment. [2]

He soon became bored of the infantry, however, and, despite being promoted to sergeant, he tried to join the Royal Air Force. This was blocked by his Commanding Officer although in 1942 he was accepted for training in the newly formed Glider Pilot Regiment. By May 1942 he was at flight training school.

Pegasus Bridge

After training at Tarrant Rushton airfield, Wallwork set off on the evening of 5 June 1944 for the beginning of the invasion of Normandy. Shortly after midnight on 6th June he landed his Horsa glider in occupied France, ending up less than 50 feet from the water tower of the Benouville Bridge. The force of the impact catapulted both Wallwork and his co-pilot John Ainsworth through the front of the cockpit. Although stunned,[3] this made them the first Allied troops to touch French soil on D-Day.

Post war

After the war, Wallwork worked as a salesman. In 1956 he emigrated to British Columbia, Canada. He ran a small livestock farm to the east of Vancouver.

References

  1. ^ After landing Wallwork was severely wounded in the head but managed to carry munition boxes up to the troops defending the canal bridge at Benouville (called 'Pegasus Bridge' some days after D-day by Royal Engineer-troops). Ambrose, Stephen (2003). Pegasus Bridge - D-Day: The Daring British Airborne Raid. London: Pocket Books. ISBN 0-7434-5068-X.
  2. ^ "British Armed Forces & National Service".
  3. ^ "British Armed Forces & National Service".

Further reading

  • "Jim Wallwork". The Daily Telegraph. 19 March 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2017.
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