New book: Lindsay’s Paratroopers by J. O’Reilly
A visit to see John Waddy, or Colonel John as he is affectionately known by those associated with the 156 Family and The Arnhem Fellowship, was the catalyst for the writing of this book. It was March 2020 when we called in to see Colonel John at his home in Somerset. The hour we planned to spend with him turned into three as his captivating stories flowed. Some we had heard many times before but there were also some new gems. Of course, he would start those involving more colourful language with “For the ladies present, please excuse my French.” He always had a smile on his face when telling these stories and had such a way with him that he got away with it every time.
As we prepared to leave, Colonel John looked directly at me and said: “I wonder what happened to our chaps that had to leave us in the Middle East after serving seven years overseas? They were some of the best men we had in the Battalion.” He had said these same words to me before but this time I felt it was a sort of veiled order. This would be our last meeting. He was in his 100th year and perhaps he knew his time was nearly up. He passed away in August.
At his funeral held in a small village church close to the Blackdown Hills, his nephew brought along to the churchyard John’s favourite dog, a springer spaniel, which closely resembled Gin, John’s spaniel throughout his time in India. The relevance was not lost on those who knew him well. It had been raining but as six paratroopers carried him to his final resting place and a bugler from The Parachute Regiment played the Last Post, the sun briefly shone.
It was at that point in time that I decided to try to find out just what had happened to those men sent home, not realising the incredible stories I would uncover. It has been a long journey – four and a half years – and many of you in the 156 and Fellowship families, as Colonel John liked to say, have helped contribute to its realisation. There was a time last year when I thought I might never reach this point, hence the long delay. Finally, I can say it is completed and virtually all of the men that John referred to have been traced. And what a war they had.
Lindsay’s Paratroopers begins with the precarious development of early parachuting experienced by Martin Lindsay. He played a critical role in establishing Airborne Forces at Ringway in 1940 and, later – as their commanding officer – in the training of the 151 and 9th parachute battalions for war.
In 1941, Lieutenant Colonel Lindsay was sent to India charged with raising and training the 151 Parachute Battalion for which he selected only the finest volunteers from the 27 British regiments based there. He had an unconventional attitude to training, frequently taking his own initiative to find innovative solutions to situations and was never afraid to challenge the opinions of senior officers.
In March 1943, the 151 was re-badged 156 Parachute Battalion. At around the same time, having served the maximum allowed seven years overseas (the PYTHON Scheme), 90 of the 151 men had to return to the UK where they joined units in the 6th Airborne Division. Others transferred to the SAS and the highly secretive departments of the SOE and MI9.
We follow the exceptional achievements of this little-known band of brothers in Sicily, Italy and Arnhem, along with the 9th Parachute Battalion on D-Day and the Rhine Crossing where, between them, they spearhead these significant operations. Due to a twist in fate, Lindsay would lead the 1st Gordon Highlanders – part of the 53rd Highland Division – on the Rhine Crossing, an action which would bring together men from his two former parachute battalions.
Post 1945, we see how two of Lindsay’s original officer recruits from India, who had remained in the Army, shape the new SAS. In 1951, his former adjutant, George Lee, became Colonel Commandant of the SAS Regiment and is credited with returning it to the standard achieved in WWII. He subsequently lead his men into successful action in the Malayan jungle. In 1964, Colonel John Waddy was appointed Colonel SAS and Commander of the SAS Group where he did much to develop its new role for the post-colonial war period; in particular, improving the difficult command structure.
Lindsay’s Paratroopers provides stories of courage both from Lindsay’s personal accounts of parachuting and challenges of command, as well as from the reports of many of his men. It is the sheer number of operations undertaken in the various theatres of war, combined with the effectiveness of Lindsay’s men and others that fought alongside them, that make this book an action-packed read. It has 464 pages, more than 500 photographs and over 50 full colour maps, together with numerous illustrations and associated items.
This book is the third in the series written by John O’Reilly who lives in the Vale of Belvoir near Grantham. For further information please contact him on 07798 523542 or 07739 508342.
If you would like to place an order for a copy of Lindsay’s Paratroopers, priced at £50.00 plus £8.50 p&p each, a total of £58.50, the following options are available:
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If you wish to pay by cheque please make £58.50 payable to John O’Reilly and post to Thoroton Hall, Main Street, Thoroton, Nottinghamshire, NG13 9DS giving your address details and indicating whether you would like a signed copy.
