Parachute Regiment Commemorative Plate - 1991

« Prev Item Next Item »

Edwardian Fine China

1991

Overview

Glossy bone china plate commemorating the formation of the 151-156 Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, Delhi India.
It has the logo of the Parachute Regiment in the centre - a parachute with pale blue wings either side - surrounded by a circle of maroon containing the words 'The Parachute Regiment'. To the outside of this are 4 pale blue scrolls with the words 'Italy', 'India'. 'N.Africa' and 'Arnhem'. On the left hand side, there is a pale blue rectangle with a parachute symbol and on the right hand side, there is an image of a biplane and the word 'Valencia'. At the bottom of the plate are the words '50 Golden Years' and the date.
The edge of the plate has a gold border and the internal writing is mostly in black.
The maker's details are on the reverse of the plate.

Historical information

Information from Paradata, Airborne Assault website:

The 156 Parachute Battalion was the previous 151 Parachute Battalion (that formed in Delhi) changing its title in November 1942. It became part of the UK 4th Parachute Brigade at Kabrit in Egypt in 1943.

The Battalion trained in Palestine before joining the 4th Brigade in North Africa and Tunisia. It landed in Italy with the 1st Airborne Division in September 1943 and spearheaded the advance from Taranto to Bari. It left Italy in November to return to the UK to prepare for the invasion of Europe.

After the frustration of numerous cancelled operations between D-Day and Operation MARKET-GARDEN, it arrived with the second lift at Arnhem on 18 September 1944, landing under heavy fire. Blocked to the north-west of Arnhem and suffering heavy casualties during the withdrawal to the Oosterbeek perimeter, the battalion was virtually destroyed alongside the other units in the 1st Airborne Division. Only a few survivors escaped across the Lower Rhine.

The under-strength Battalion was disbanded shortly after the battle in September 1944.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-119-RoW00120

Item type

Themes

Social History
War and Conflict
War and Conflict > World War 2